How to Put a Note in the Western Wall (Even From Far Away)

If you have ever stood in front of the Western Wall, or seen a picture of it, you have probably noticed the thousands of tiny folded papers tucked into every crack within reach. Each one is a prayer. Some carry a single name, some a long letter, and some just a few words of thanks. Placing a note in the Kotel is one of the most personal things you can do in Jerusalem, and it is simple once you know how. This guide walks you through every step, including what to do if you cannot travel there yourself.

How do you put a note in the Western Wall? Write a short, sincere prayer on a small piece of paper, fold it tightly, and gently press it into a crack between the stones without pushing out other notes. If you cannot travel to Jerusalem, you can send your note online or with someone who is going, and it will be placed for you.

Why Do People Put Notes in the Western Wall?

The custom grows out of the Kotel's place in Jewish prayer. The Western Wall is the closest point to the site of the Holy Temple where Jews pray today, and Jewish tradition has long taught that prayers offered here are especially meaningful. A note is a way to leave your prayer in that place, even after you walk away.

How Old Is the Custom?

Nobody knows exactly when the first note was placed. A well-known story credits Rabbi Chaim ben Attar, an eighteenth-century sage who came to Jerusalem from Morocco, with writing a note for a man in need, though the details vary in the retelling. What is clear is that the practice became widespread over the past few centuries. Today notes fill the cracks all year round, placed by Jews and by visitors of every faith.

A Prayer You Can Leave Behind

There is something powerful about turning a prayer into an object. Writing forces you to decide what matters most. Folding the paper and placing it with your own hand turns a thought into an act. Many people find that the few minutes they spend writing a note become the most honest prayer they say all trip.

What Should You Write in a Western Wall Note?

There is no required formula. A note can be one line or a full page, in Hebrew, English, or any language you think in. Still, a few traditions can help you get started.

Names and Requests

Many people write the names of the people they are praying for. In Jewish tradition, a prayer for someone who is ill uses their Hebrew name and their mother's name, for example "Sarah bat Leah." If you do not know someone's Hebrew name, their everyday name is fine. You can then add your request in your own words: health, a livelihood, a match, peace in the home, the safety of your family, or help with a decision.

Thanks and Praise

Not every note has to ask for something. Some of the most beautiful notes simply say thank you, for a recovery, a new baby, a good year, or a hard time you got through. Jewish prayer always includes praise and thanks alongside requests, and your note can too.

Notes for Special Occasions

Many people place a note to mark a moment in their life. Before a wedding, couples often write a prayer for their marriage. Families of a bar or bat mitzvah child sometimes help the child write their first note. On a yahrzeit, the anniversary of a loved one's death, people write the person's Hebrew name and their father's name and ask that their memory be a blessing. Others write before surgery, before a big exam, or when a new baby is born. Whatever the occasion, the note becomes part of how you remember that day.

Keep It Simple and Sincere

You do not need fancy words. Write what you would say if you could speak openly to God for one minute. Many people begin their note with a short line from Psalms, such as "I lift my eyes to the mountains" from Psalm 121. Others begin by writing their own name and their mother's name so the prayer is clearly theirs. If you would like more ideas, our guide to what to pray at the Western Wall collects traditional prayers for health, livelihood, and family.

How to Place Your Note in the Western Wall, Step by Step

When you arrive at the Kotel, the process takes only a few minutes. Here is the common way to do it.

1. Write your note before you arrive. Paper and pens are sometimes available near the plaza, but it is easier to prepare at your hotel or home, without a crowd around you.
2. Use a small piece of paper. About the size of a business card or a little larger works best, so it fits in the cracks.
3. Fold it tightly. Fold it several times into a small square or roll, so the words are private and the note stays in place.
4. Dress modestly and go to your section. Men pray on the left side of the partition, women on the right. Cover your shoulders and knees, and men cover their heads.
5. Approach the wall calmly. It can be crowded, so wait patiently for a space.
6. Find a crack and press the note in gently. Never pull out or push out someone else's note to make room. If the cracks are full, try higher, lower, or further along.
7. Pause and pray. Many people place a hand on the stones and say their prayer quietly, or read a Psalm.
8. Step back respectfully. When you leave, take a few steps backward while facing the wall before you turn around.

Customs and Etiquette at the Wall

A few more customs are worth knowing. Do not bring a note that you wrote on Shabbat, since writing is not done on Shabbat, and many people avoid placing notes on Shabbat and holidays. Do not use tissues, receipts, or anything that might look like trash. And remember that the people around you are praying too, so keep your voice low and your phone away.

What If the Cracks Are Full?

During busy seasons, especially around the High Holidays, the lower cracks can be packed. Look a little higher or further along the wall, or near the far right and left ends. If a note falls, leave it be or gently tuck it back in. All the notes are gathered and buried with respect when the wall is cleared.

How to Send a Note to the Western Wall From Far Away

Most people who want to pray at the Kotel cannot get on a plane whenever they need to. Fortunately, there are several ways to have your note placed for you.

Ask Someone Who Is Traveling

The oldest method is still one of the best. If a friend, relative, or rabbi is traveling to Jerusalem, ask them to carry your note. Fold it, seal it in an envelope if you like, and trust them to place it with care. Many families keep this custom for generations.

Send a Note Online

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which manages the Kotel, offers a free online form on its website. You type your note, and their staff print it and place it between the stones, with your privacy respected. The Foundation reports that close to a million notes have been placed this way.

Pair Your Note With Tzedakah

For generations, Jews who could not travel to Jerusalem paired their prayers with giving, supporting people in need while they prayed. Many still do. If you are curious about why giving and prayer go together in Jewish tradition, read our guide to what tzedakah really means, or learn why so many donors give in multiples of 18.

What Happens to Your Note Afterward?

Once your note is in the wall, it stays there until it is collected. Twice a year, before Passover and before Rosh Hashanah, the staff of the Western Wall clear the notes from the stones and bury them, as is done with sacred writings. No one reads them. For the whole story, see our guide to what happens to the notes in the Western Wall, and for the bigger picture of the site, read the history and meaning of the Western Wall.

Bringing Your Intention to the Wall With 18.fund

If you cannot be in Jerusalem yourself, you can still bring your prayer to the Kotel and do some good at the same time. At 18.fund, offered in collaboration with the Shabata Demalkata Foundation, our Giving Packages start at $180. With a package, your intention is printed and placed at the Western Wall within 7 days, with video confirmation sent to you by email, and prayers are read at the Wall on Monday and Thursday. Your donation also helps provide Shabbat meals and holiday essentials for families in need across the US.

Send Your Note to the Wall

Frequently Asked Questions