Islamic Jerusalem:
Caliph Umar took over Jerusalem in 638, and he allowed Jews to move back into the city after an agreement with the Christians prohibiting Jewish settlement. Aelia, Bait Maqdis, and al-Quds were all used to describe the holy city (Haram al-Sharif = "the noble sanctuary). Muhammed first introduced the concepts of Qibla and Mihrab, which focus on a set direction of Prayer toward Mecca, specifically towards the Kaaba.
Caliph Umar constructed a wooden Mosque, whose site eventually became the sight of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Abd al-Malik built the the Dome of the Rock in 691 (commissioned in 687). The location of the Dome of the Rock is said to be linked to Abraham's sacrifice on Mt. Moriah, Solomon's Temple, and the Underworld itself. Both of these aimed to divert pilgrimage away from Mecca, and Jews and Christians also visited Jerusalem as well. Abd al-Malik improved the road system and restored certain gates and walls of Jerusalem, and he constructed the Qubbat as-Silsila, or the Dome of the Chain.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
2/22/11
The physical importane of the Temple was being diminished, as Jesus "predicts" its destruction, and its spiritual aspects were growing in significance. Revelation 21-22 describes a "new" Jerusalem, as the nature of religion in the city was transforming. Jerusalem is said to be the location of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, and some Christians interpret Matthew 27's statement about "destroy[ing] the temple and build[ing] it in three days" refers to Jesus' resurrection. And in 285 CE, emperor Diocletian instituted the tetrarchy of power, eventually resulting in Constantine's rise to power. He legalized Christianity in the Edict of Milan in 313 CE, although some believe he used religion as a method of uniting his empire.
Helena, Constantine's mother, came to Jerusalem in 324 CE, and her rededications established the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as a new "axis mundi." In 391, Theodosius established Christianity as the state religion, and Justinian expanded the city and built the Nea (New) Church. People began making both Jewish and Christian pilgrimages to Jerusalem. People began relating the myths from the Temple to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Also, the Nea Church had a lot of physical similarities to Solomon's temple.
Helena, Constantine's mother, came to Jerusalem in 324 CE, and her rededications established the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as a new "axis mundi." In 391, Theodosius established Christianity as the state religion, and Justinian expanded the city and built the Nea (New) Church. People began making both Jewish and Christian pilgrimages to Jerusalem. People began relating the myths from the Temple to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Also, the Nea Church had a lot of physical similarities to Solomon's temple.
2/17/11
Jerusalem in Revolt:
Herod's kingdom was divided into three portions. Archelaus (ineffective) became ethnarch of Judea, Herod Antipas became tetrarch of Perea and Galilee, and Herod Philip became tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis. These rulers were gradually substituted with direct Roman rulers (procurators). Pontius Pilate, who governed Judea from 26 to 36 CE, tried and ordered the execution of Jesus, and he provoked the Jews as a whole. The governors were mostly inexperienced, and Jewish nationalism and internal conflict were both increasing. The first Jewish Revolt (66-73 CE), can be attributed to the corrupt Roman governors, or religious injustice, or worsening relationships with non-Jews. Titus destroyed the Temple on the 9th of Ab in 70 CE, and by 73 CE, the revolt was ended. Vespasian issued Judea Capta/Devicta coins that publicized their victory.
The 2nd revolt, or Bar Kokhba revolt (132-135 CE), was led by Simon ben Kosiba, who wanted to reestablish Jerusalem as an eternal capital and reestablish Jewish identity. As a result of the revolt's failure, Hadrian punished the Jews, banned them from the city, banned circumcision, and rebuilt Jerusalem as a Roman city (Aelia Capitolina). The transformation of the Temple into a worship center for Jupiter may have led to the rise of the Synagogue, providing an alternate place of worship.
Herod's kingdom was divided into three portions. Archelaus (ineffective) became ethnarch of Judea, Herod Antipas became tetrarch of Perea and Galilee, and Herod Philip became tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis. These rulers were gradually substituted with direct Roman rulers (procurators). Pontius Pilate, who governed Judea from 26 to 36 CE, tried and ordered the execution of Jesus, and he provoked the Jews as a whole. The governors were mostly inexperienced, and Jewish nationalism and internal conflict were both increasing. The first Jewish Revolt (66-73 CE), can be attributed to the corrupt Roman governors, or religious injustice, or worsening relationships with non-Jews. Titus destroyed the Temple on the 9th of Ab in 70 CE, and by 73 CE, the revolt was ended. Vespasian issued Judea Capta/Devicta coins that publicized their victory.
The 2nd revolt, or Bar Kokhba revolt (132-135 CE), was led by Simon ben Kosiba, who wanted to reestablish Jerusalem as an eternal capital and reestablish Jewish identity. As a result of the revolt's failure, Hadrian punished the Jews, banned them from the city, banned circumcision, and rebuilt Jerusalem as a Roman city (Aelia Capitolina). The transformation of the Temple into a worship center for Jupiter may have led to the rise of the Synagogue, providing an alternate place of worship.
2/15/11
Herodian Jerusalem:
In 63 BCE, Pompey entered the "Holy of Holies" in what was called as the "Abomination of Desolation," and Herod the Great soon came to power. He was Judaized by the Hasmoneans, so he was essentially half-Jewish. He ruled from 37 to 4 BCE, and he was overly paranoid and impulsive, which was effective for Rome, but disliked by the Jews. He is well-known for his large building projects that include an expanded Temple Mount, theaters, and aqueducts. Some argue whether or not he was a "bad" king, since he mostly respected Jewish religious tradition.
Although there is no archeological evidence for the existence of Jesus, he most likely existed and had a large influence on people. But like the case of David and Solomon, this absence of evidence cannot be considered evidence of absence.
In 63 BCE, Pompey entered the "Holy of Holies" in what was called as the "Abomination of Desolation," and Herod the Great soon came to power. He was Judaized by the Hasmoneans, so he was essentially half-Jewish. He ruled from 37 to 4 BCE, and he was overly paranoid and impulsive, which was effective for Rome, but disliked by the Jews. He is well-known for his large building projects that include an expanded Temple Mount, theaters, and aqueducts. Some argue whether or not he was a "bad" king, since he mostly respected Jewish religious tradition.
Although there is no archeological evidence for the existence of Jesus, he most likely existed and had a large influence on people. But like the case of David and Solomon, this absence of evidence cannot be considered evidence of absence.
2/10/11
Hellenistic Jerusalem:
Alexander the Great defeated Persia's King Darius in 333 BCE conquered Palestine in 332 BCE, and after he died, Jerusalem was captured by the Ptolemies (Egyptians) in 320 BCE and by the Seleucids (Syrians) in 201 BCE. While the Ptolemies gave the city autonomy if they obeyed, the Seleucids began aggressively Hellenizing the Jews, attempting to transform Jerusalem into a "Polis." Numerous aspects of society were affected. This Hellenization is seen in the architecture and burial inscriptions, and even the Bible was translated into Greek. Antiochus IV sold the High Priesthood, and outlawed Jewish religious practices in 167 BCE. While some Jews welcomed Hellenization, others resisted, and the creation of factions soon lead to revolt.
Hasmonean Jerusalem:
Conservative Jews revolted in what was called the Maccabean Revolt. By 165/4 BCE, they took control of the city and the Temple and established Hanukkah to celebrate the victory, thus beginning the Hasmonean dynasty. During this "Golden Age," Jewish self-rule was instituted, and their territory was greatly expanded. Rulers became increasingly Hellenized, however, and they assumed the offices of High Priest and King, and they grew insensitive to Jewish tradition, and at the same time, forcibly "Judaized" nearby non-Jewish areas. Wisdom of Sirach 45 redirected the Promise of David and applied it to Priests, and there was great conflict between the Sadducees and Pharisees. Pompey and the Romans conquered Jerusalem in 63 BCE.
Alexander the Great defeated Persia's King Darius in 333 BCE conquered Palestine in 332 BCE, and after he died, Jerusalem was captured by the Ptolemies (Egyptians) in 320 BCE and by the Seleucids (Syrians) in 201 BCE. While the Ptolemies gave the city autonomy if they obeyed, the Seleucids began aggressively Hellenizing the Jews, attempting to transform Jerusalem into a "Polis." Numerous aspects of society were affected. This Hellenization is seen in the architecture and burial inscriptions, and even the Bible was translated into Greek. Antiochus IV sold the High Priesthood, and outlawed Jewish religious practices in 167 BCE. While some Jews welcomed Hellenization, others resisted, and the creation of factions soon lead to revolt.
Hasmonean Jerusalem:
Conservative Jews revolted in what was called the Maccabean Revolt. By 165/4 BCE, they took control of the city and the Temple and established Hanukkah to celebrate the victory, thus beginning the Hasmonean dynasty. During this "Golden Age," Jewish self-rule was instituted, and their territory was greatly expanded. Rulers became increasingly Hellenized, however, and they assumed the offices of High Priest and King, and they grew insensitive to Jewish tradition, and at the same time, forcibly "Judaized" nearby non-Jewish areas. Wisdom of Sirach 45 redirected the Promise of David and applied it to Priests, and there was great conflict between the Sadducees and Pharisees. Pompey and the Romans conquered Jerusalem in 63 BCE.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
2/8/11
Persian Jerusalem:
The Persian period is said to be from 539-333 BCE, part of the 2nd temple period. Although there is no non-biblical texts dealing with Jerusalem during this time, there exists enough evidence to show the major aspects of this time. The prophet Ezekiel predicted a reemergence of God as a mobile being, using vivid and apocalyptic imagery. King Cyrus announced a "general return to homelands" in his clay cuneiform, giving him an image as a "liberator." He was viewed as a great deliverer by the Judean exiles. This can be seen as an example of rationalizing history to comply with certain events, "even if it involves a foreign king as God's chosen deliverer."
Darius I lead a rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple from 520-515 BCE, in an attempt to earn loyalty from the people. But some wonder if the people of Jerusalem truly needed a new temple. New "2nd" temples were constructed, and there was a conflict between the pro-temple and the anti-temple population.
The Persian period is said to be from 539-333 BCE, part of the 2nd temple period. Although there is no non-biblical texts dealing with Jerusalem during this time, there exists enough evidence to show the major aspects of this time. The prophet Ezekiel predicted a reemergence of God as a mobile being, using vivid and apocalyptic imagery. King Cyrus announced a "general return to homelands" in his clay cuneiform, giving him an image as a "liberator." He was viewed as a great deliverer by the Judean exiles. This can be seen as an example of rationalizing history to comply with certain events, "even if it involves a foreign king as God's chosen deliverer."
Darius I lead a rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple from 520-515 BCE, in an attempt to earn loyalty from the people. But some wonder if the people of Jerusalem truly needed a new temple. New "2nd" temples were constructed, and there was a conflict between the pro-temple and the anti-temple population.
2/1/11
Josiah's Jerusalem cont'd:
The lecture began with a description of the Mezad Hashavyahu Ostracon, which contains the Yavneh Yam letter. The ostracon is important because it references a rule stated in Exodus 22, that says that you must return your worker's garment "before the sun sets." The Yavneh Yam letter talks about a violation of this rule, which may prove that some parts of Exodus were used as laws, or it could merely show that Exodus documented a law that was already in existence during the time of the Yavneh Yam letter. Similarly, the Ketef Hinnom amulets quote two Bible verses, and they are dated around 600 BCE. What this evidence proves is mostly similar to that of the Yavneh Yam letter. Both finds do show the importance of literacy and writing's usage as a permanent form of communication.
Exile, Destruction, and Cognitive Dissonance:
Next, we talked about The End of Jerusalem: the end of the Davidic line, the "chosen" people, the temple and the Land. Dr. Cargill made us ponder the question, "What happens to faith when experience contradicts it?" He described the destruction of the temple and exile of the nobles by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Many people began either lamenting or redefining God's promise to David. The promise suddenly became "conditionalized", and the rationalization that God "put his name" in the temple surfaced. Thus, cognitive dissonance is the struggle to accept reality when it defies belief.
The lecture began with a description of the Mezad Hashavyahu Ostracon, which contains the Yavneh Yam letter. The ostracon is important because it references a rule stated in Exodus 22, that says that you must return your worker's garment "before the sun sets." The Yavneh Yam letter talks about a violation of this rule, which may prove that some parts of Exodus were used as laws, or it could merely show that Exodus documented a law that was already in existence during the time of the Yavneh Yam letter. Similarly, the Ketef Hinnom amulets quote two Bible verses, and they are dated around 600 BCE. What this evidence proves is mostly similar to that of the Yavneh Yam letter. Both finds do show the importance of literacy and writing's usage as a permanent form of communication.
Exile, Destruction, and Cognitive Dissonance:
Next, we talked about The End of Jerusalem: the end of the Davidic line, the "chosen" people, the temple and the Land. Dr. Cargill made us ponder the question, "What happens to faith when experience contradicts it?" He described the destruction of the temple and exile of the nobles by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Many people began either lamenting or redefining God's promise to David. The promise suddenly became "conditionalized", and the rationalization that God "put his name" in the temple surfaced. Thus, cognitive dissonance is the struggle to accept reality when it defies belief.
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