He is an Iranian who moved to LA in 1985. It was his first time in Israel. I put Tefillin on him and his two teenage sons. They read the Shema in English and, as usual, I explained the importance of the moment for them, how it was a "time of favor," and I sent them to the Kotel to pray for their families. I also told them to ask Hashem to protect the Jews in danger from the onslaught of terrorism we are experiencing. They spent quite a while standing close to the Kotel.

     When they came back, he gently touched my forehead with his fingertips and then kissed them. He was showing how much he appreciated the experience.   

     When I was taking the tefillin off he said, "None of the pictures of this place show you what is really here!"

     It is so good for a Jew to experience holiness while he is here. It is not just a holy moment for him, but he will take the experience with him when he leaves, too. He will always warmly remember that he experienced holiness at the Kotel. It will strengthen his love of Hashem, His Torah, and His Land, too.