The Western Wall Heritage Foundation has released iKotel, an iOS app that lets iPhone owners make a virtual visit to the Western Wall, one of Judaism's most sacred sites. According to Western Wall Heritage Foundation president Joseph Loshinsky, the app was developed to address the age-old problem of "people dreaming of Jerusalem but not being able to get there." In Hebrew, the word "Kotel" means "wall," and the Western Wall is known as HaKotel, "The Wall."
The app features a live video feed of the Kotel (except for the Sabbath, Friday night through Saturday night, when traditionally observant Jews do not use electronics). The app can also be used to send a personalized prayer to the Western Wall, which will be recorded by the Kotel's rabbinic staff and placed within a crevice of the ancient stones. The app leverages the GPS and gyroscope of the iPhone to help users point themselves towards the Western Wall for a time of prayer.
While it won't replace an actual visit to the Western Wall, it is a handy and portable connection to this ancient and intriguing place. The iKotel app made its debut in the App Store earlier this week and is available for free in English, Hebrew and Russian.
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Visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem with iKotel on your iPhone originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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