Israeli Newspaper Publishes Obama's Western Wall Prayer

I was not aware of this, but apparently in Israel there is a tradition of writing one's prayers on a piece of paper ad sticking it into the cracks of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Apparently, this is a sign of devotion and a way to get ones prayers directly to God. While Barack Obama was in Israel, he placed his own prayer in the wall - so far nothing unusual. What *IS* unusual is a seminary student promptly plucked it from the wall and an Israeli newspaper published it! This is quickly becoming a major scandal within Israel, because Wester Wall prayers are supposed to be confidential between God and the one who prays.

At the Western Wall, Obama was greeted by a crowd of curious onlookers and photographers. He donned a white skullcap, listened to a rabbi read a prayer, and inserted a folded white paper between the stones. One hardline Israeli protester shouted, "Obama, Jerusalem is not for sale."

The visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories was part of an international tour meant to shore up Obama's foreign affairs credentials ahead of the November election. Obama's prospective rival, John McCain, visited Israel in March.

While the prayer published is itself about the most generic one possible, it is refreshing to see a newspaper held accountable for a real invasion of privacy. There was nothing newsworthy about this prayer - unlike if, say, it has asked for a divided Jerusalem - and no reason to flash it before the world. Even a man who wants to be President has the right to a private relationship with God.