This song describes some experiences I had when I visited Jerusalem about a year and a half ago.  I made a friend on my trip.  He was a real genuine guy whom a lot of other people looked at skeptically.  They sometimes scoffed at his “gullibility” or his innocent attempts at reaching out to others.  One night on the street in Jerusalem he gave this strange woman a hug who seemed lonely and sad.  I don’t think many people would take that risk.  Most might even scoff at this as a silly gesture.  

    The next day we visited the wailing wall where millions of people go to stand in front of a wall and pray.  Some even kiss the stones or stand close to the wall as if trying to embrace it.  I couldn’t help but make a comparison to the way I felt as I watched my friend reach out to the lady and the way I felt as I saw people reach out to this inanimate pile of rocks.  There is no doubt that I had a much deeper experience in the first situation.  

    I have a lot of respect for my friend’s courage and I even felt a little silly after they hugged and I realized I had allowed myself to be a mindless spectator of his actions.  At that point I offered her another hug to her.  We all had an awkward moment after that but I don’t think any of us would trade that moment for anything.  It’s strange how easy it is to feel uncomfortable taking certain actions just because its not something that most people would choose to do.  And on the other hand its strange how it’s so easy to get wrapped up in strange rituals that from a foreign perspective seem absolutely ridiculous.