And Rabbi Elazar said: From the day the Beis HaMikdash was destroyed, the gates of prayer have been locked, as it says, “Even when I cry out and plead, He shuts out my prayer” (Eichah 3:8). But even though the gates of prayer have been locked, the gates of tears have not been locked, as it says, “Hear my prayer, Hashem, and give ear to my cry; do not be silent to my tears” (Tehillim 39:13).