Week 10 Lecture 2 (3/10/11):
Today, we finally arrived at the awaited topic of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. I've seen many stories about this conflict in the news, but I've never really understood the depth, the history, and the reasons behind it. However, like Professor Cargill, I have hope for peace. I believe completely in what Professor Cargill said when he said that creating peace takes time and courage, because there will always be people who disagree and there will always be conflicts to provoke you into an easier route (take arms and fire back), but in order to attain peace, politicians and leaders have to be strong and remain strong, to ensure that peace really pulls through. On several accounts, Israel has been very close to attaining peace, but one provocation from the Palestinians completely dismantled any thought of a peaceful compromise. I believe that peace is close. It might appear from a standpoint that the Israelis are the "good guys" and the Palestinians are the "bad guys," but this class has really taught me to be more open-minded. The "bad people" on the news do not encompass the entire Palestinian population, and new media usually are either skewed or biased. I hope Israel and Palestine do reach a middle ground soon, for the sake of global peace.
Overall, I really enjoyed this class a lot. I took this class as a Writing II requirement, but I ended up liking the class way more than I had anticipated. Another reason I took this course was because I am very interested in Jerusalem's role in Christianity. After the first week, however, I discovered that Christianity will only take up about one or two lectures, so I was a bit bummed out. Surprisingly, I found myself engrossed into learning about other religions and their effects on Jerusalem. My favorite part of this class was definitely learning about modern Jerusalem. It opened my eyes to many issues, and made me re-evaluate my definition of terrorism and my belief about what is truly right. Professor Cargill was a great professor. Not only was he knowledgeable, he was also "cool." By this, I mean he makes references that we, students, can understand, and it's hilarious. He is very passionate about what he teaches, and his passion spreads to me and his students. I especially enjoyed listening to his adventures in Jerusalem. I definitely want to visit Jerusalem one day, and I know the first thing I will do is turn my hand upside-down to figure out where I am. Thank you Professor!
P.S. I quite enjoyed this blogging experience. :)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
20th Century Jerusalem
Week 10 Lecture 1 (3/8/11):
During this lecture, we talked about the Jerusalem we see in the news spotlight, the Jerusalem in the center of political and religious debate. After the end of the Ottomon Empire, Jerusalem still continued to grow. The population of Jerusalem increased, especially in respect to the Jews. However, in the 20th century, there was a rise in anti-semitism, the act of blaming Jews because they are different or because they are more successful. I, personally, am very passionate about this topic. I don't believe in discrimination, but unfortunately, it has become almost part of human nature. It was practiced in the past, and is here in the present when discrimination is condescended. With special consideration of the Jews, they had to endure great amounts of persecution and discrimination in their very long history. For Jews to remain a dominant religion today really shows how strong their faith in God is and how they grow from oppression, not break down.
The Jews tried their best to earn a state of their own in the early 20th century. During the British Mandate, which occurred after WWI, the British tried to settle on a compromise between the Arabs and Jews, but to no avail. There was constant fighting because neither wanted to give up their own land or settle for less than the other side. A "War of Independence" broke out in 1948, that ended in an armistice signed on Match 16, 1949. This gave rise to the Green Line, separating the territory of Israel and Jordan, and also of the Jews and Arabs. This was a victory to the Jews, but a catastrophe to the Arabs, who saw this as a major loss. Controversy arises today because of Jewish settlements on the West Bank, the area past the Green Line belonging to the Arabs. I do not know much about this subject, but it makes me angry when people break a pact or treaty. If the Jews agreed to stay in West Jerusalem, did they think they can build on areas in the Eastern side and get away with it? Obviously, conflict would have been inevitable, so why not save their country, and the world, turmoil and pain by abiding to the initial pact?
During this lecture, we talked about the Jerusalem we see in the news spotlight, the Jerusalem in the center of political and religious debate. After the end of the Ottomon Empire, Jerusalem still continued to grow. The population of Jerusalem increased, especially in respect to the Jews. However, in the 20th century, there was a rise in anti-semitism, the act of blaming Jews because they are different or because they are more successful. I, personally, am very passionate about this topic. I don't believe in discrimination, but unfortunately, it has become almost part of human nature. It was practiced in the past, and is here in the present when discrimination is condescended. With special consideration of the Jews, they had to endure great amounts of persecution and discrimination in their very long history. For Jews to remain a dominant religion today really shows how strong their faith in God is and how they grow from oppression, not break down.
The Jews tried their best to earn a state of their own in the early 20th century. During the British Mandate, which occurred after WWI, the British tried to settle on a compromise between the Arabs and Jews, but to no avail. There was constant fighting because neither wanted to give up their own land or settle for less than the other side. A "War of Independence" broke out in 1948, that ended in an armistice signed on Match 16, 1949. This gave rise to the Green Line, separating the territory of Israel and Jordan, and also of the Jews and Arabs. This was a victory to the Jews, but a catastrophe to the Arabs, who saw this as a major loss. Controversy arises today because of Jewish settlements on the West Bank, the area past the Green Line belonging to the Arabs. I do not know much about this subject, but it makes me angry when people break a pact or treaty. If the Jews agreed to stay in West Jerusalem, did they think they can build on areas in the Eastern side and get away with it? Obviously, conflict would have been inevitable, so why not save their country, and the world, turmoil and pain by abiding to the initial pact?
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Growth of the Haram and Jewish Quarter
Week 9 Lecture 2 (3/3/11):
During the Mamluk movement, Jerusalem began to grow once again, after the destruction caused by the Crusaders and Abbasids/Fatamids. Extensive construction of schools, hospitals, and hostels took place to restore the holy city to its former glory. One of the creations during this time was the Al-Madrasa al-Ashrafiyya. It is a Qur'anic school built in 1482, and is now considered the 3rd Jewel of Jerusalem after the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The rise of Islamic Jerusalem is clearly seen in this period. More myths became attributed to the Temple Mount and its beautiful monuments. For example, mausoleums were built closer to the Temple Mount because many believed that the Temple Mount was where the Judgment Day will take place. Jerusalem was once again a Muslim city, with the Haram as the focal point.
During the Ottomon period, which lasted almost 400 years, the greatest and most well-known ruler was Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. During his 46 years reign, he conducted mass construction projects. He helped repair and enlarge aqueducts, refurnished the Haram and its monuments, and built the seven gates of Jerusalem to fortify the city. By rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Suleiman contributed greatly to the rise in population. Jewish population also rose because they were not discriminated against. In fact, Suleiman encouraged Jews to resettle the city and gave them the Western Wall as a place to pray. This Western Wall is now the most important spot in Judaism, where people come to pray, give thanks, and seek help. Not only did Suleiman aid Islam and Judaism, but he also helped Christianity by restoring the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Suleiman was an effective ruler and religiously tolerant man who restored the kingdom and provided a strong, central government for Jerusalem to flourish.
During the Mamluk movement, Jerusalem began to grow once again, after the destruction caused by the Crusaders and Abbasids/Fatamids. Extensive construction of schools, hospitals, and hostels took place to restore the holy city to its former glory. One of the creations during this time was the Al-Madrasa al-Ashrafiyya. It is a Qur'anic school built in 1482, and is now considered the 3rd Jewel of Jerusalem after the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The rise of Islamic Jerusalem is clearly seen in this period. More myths became attributed to the Temple Mount and its beautiful monuments. For example, mausoleums were built closer to the Temple Mount because many believed that the Temple Mount was where the Judgment Day will take place. Jerusalem was once again a Muslim city, with the Haram as the focal point.
During the Ottomon period, which lasted almost 400 years, the greatest and most well-known ruler was Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. During his 46 years reign, he conducted mass construction projects. He helped repair and enlarge aqueducts, refurnished the Haram and its monuments, and built the seven gates of Jerusalem to fortify the city. By rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Suleiman contributed greatly to the rise in population. Jewish population also rose because they were not discriminated against. In fact, Suleiman encouraged Jews to resettle the city and gave them the Western Wall as a place to pray. This Western Wall is now the most important spot in Judaism, where people come to pray, give thanks, and seek help. Not only did Suleiman aid Islam and Judaism, but he also helped Christianity by restoring the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Suleiman was an effective ruler and religiously tolerant man who restored the kingdom and provided a strong, central government for Jerusalem to flourish.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Crusader Jerusalem
Week 9 Lecture 1 (3/1/11):
When people think of the Crusades today, they think of knights marching on a quest to conquer Jerusalem. However, back in the 10th century, the Crusade was more than a war. It was a holy war authorized by a pope on Christ's behalf. This authorization makes the act of killing in God's name acceptable. Also, people who went on the Crusades had to take proper vows, and thereby received indulgences for their efforts. Indulgences were remissions of penalties and sins given to those who either paid funds to the church or went on these Crusades. The use of indulgences eventually led to the Protestant Reformation that would divide Christianity into more sects. The expansion of Islam, the Great Schism, the persecution of Christians, and the difficulty of pilgrimages to Jerusalem all created a lot of zealous for this war.
The first Crusade began in 1095 after Pope Urban II preached about this "holy war." Jerusalem would overtaken 4 years later, in 1099, by Godfrey de Buillon, and Baldwin became king in 1100. During Crusader Jerusalem, the Islamic monuments, such as the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, were modified to accommodate the Christians. There was mass rebuilding of ruined Byzantine Churches, especially the Church of the Holy Sepulcher that was burned down in 1099. It was finally rebuilt under one roof, and became a central part of the Patriarch's quarter. The Temple Mount was known as the Templar's quarter, the northeast quarter was called the Syrian quarter, and the southwest side was known as the Armenian quarter. Crusader Jerusalem did not last long. In 1187, Saladin conquered Jerusalem at the Horns of Hattin and converted Jerusalem back into a Muslim city. However, Christians and Jews were still allowed to have pilgrimages to Jerusalem. There were many small crusade efforts after 1187, but this all ended in 1291 when the last Crusader outpost fell.
When people think of the Crusades today, they think of knights marching on a quest to conquer Jerusalem. However, back in the 10th century, the Crusade was more than a war. It was a holy war authorized by a pope on Christ's behalf. This authorization makes the act of killing in God's name acceptable. Also, people who went on the Crusades had to take proper vows, and thereby received indulgences for their efforts. Indulgences were remissions of penalties and sins given to those who either paid funds to the church or went on these Crusades. The use of indulgences eventually led to the Protestant Reformation that would divide Christianity into more sects. The expansion of Islam, the Great Schism, the persecution of Christians, and the difficulty of pilgrimages to Jerusalem all created a lot of zealous for this war.
The first Crusade began in 1095 after Pope Urban II preached about this "holy war." Jerusalem would overtaken 4 years later, in 1099, by Godfrey de Buillon, and Baldwin became king in 1100. During Crusader Jerusalem, the Islamic monuments, such as the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, were modified to accommodate the Christians. There was mass rebuilding of ruined Byzantine Churches, especially the Church of the Holy Sepulcher that was burned down in 1099. It was finally rebuilt under one roof, and became a central part of the Patriarch's quarter. The Temple Mount was known as the Templar's quarter, the northeast quarter was called the Syrian quarter, and the southwest side was known as the Armenian quarter. Crusader Jerusalem did not last long. In 1187, Saladin conquered Jerusalem at the Horns of Hattin and converted Jerusalem back into a Muslim city. However, Christians and Jews were still allowed to have pilgrimages to Jerusalem. There were many small crusade efforts after 1187, but this all ended in 1291 when the last Crusader outpost fell.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Islamic Jerusalem
Week 8 Lecture 2 (2/24/11):
After the Sasanians took over Jerusalem and Palestine, Jews were once again allowed to resettle in Jerusalem, however, they were still continously persecuted. Two primary factions in Islam formed: the Sunnis and Shiites. The faction of Ali, or Shi'ites, believes in a kinship-based caliphate. The faction of Mu'awiya is tradition-based and are now known as the Sunnis. Even today, there are huge conflicts between these two factions, and they are responsible for most of the tragedy and death occuring in the Middle East. I am not a follower or an expert in Islam, but to have two sects who worship the same God and commit to the same rituals in conflict is very unreasonable. There may be more underlying issues that I am unaware of, but the only difference I see is that one is kinship-based and one is tradition-based. To impose death and torture those who do not follow "your" religion should be a resolved issue in the current century; buf this corruption still continues and it is very disappointing.
During the early rise of Islam, there was a shift from Jerusalem to Mecca. People prayed toward Mecca to the Kaaba, a cube of black stone believing to date to the time of Adam of Eve and to be a portal to the upper realm. However, Umar and the rest of the Umayyad Empire wanted to divert this adoration toward Jerusalem. Abd al-Malik built the Dome of the Rock, and Caliph Walid built the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount. The traditions of the Temple Mount became associated with Islam, in that it was the location of the sacrifiec of Ishmael, the place of Muhammad's night journey, the portal to the underworld, and the spot of final judgment. All of these myths became associated with the Temple Mount, making Jerusalem a significant city of Islamic faith. However, it is currently the third most important Islamic city, after Mecca and Medina.
After the Sasanians took over Jerusalem and Palestine, Jews were once again allowed to resettle in Jerusalem, however, they were still continously persecuted. Two primary factions in Islam formed: the Sunnis and Shiites. The faction of Ali, or Shi'ites, believes in a kinship-based caliphate. The faction of Mu'awiya is tradition-based and are now known as the Sunnis. Even today, there are huge conflicts between these two factions, and they are responsible for most of the tragedy and death occuring in the Middle East. I am not a follower or an expert in Islam, but to have two sects who worship the same God and commit to the same rituals in conflict is very unreasonable. There may be more underlying issues that I am unaware of, but the only difference I see is that one is kinship-based and one is tradition-based. To impose death and torture those who do not follow "your" religion should be a resolved issue in the current century; buf this corruption still continues and it is very disappointing.
During the early rise of Islam, there was a shift from Jerusalem to Mecca. People prayed toward Mecca to the Kaaba, a cube of black stone believing to date to the time of Adam of Eve and to be a portal to the upper realm. However, Umar and the rest of the Umayyad Empire wanted to divert this adoration toward Jerusalem. Abd al-Malik built the Dome of the Rock, and Caliph Walid built the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount. The traditions of the Temple Mount became associated with Islam, in that it was the location of the sacrifiec of Ishmael, the place of Muhammad's night journey, the portal to the underworld, and the spot of final judgment. All of these myths became associated with the Temple Mount, making Jerusalem a significant city of Islamic faith. However, it is currently the third most important Islamic city, after Mecca and Medina.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Christian Jerusalem
Week 8 Lecture 1 (2/22/11)
After the Jews were banned from Jerusalem, the city no longer was a center of religious activity. However, during the Byzantine Empire, the rise of Christianity made Jerusalem a focal point in religion once again. Over 300 years before Constantine, miraculous events were happening in Jerusalem. A man named Jesus claimed to be the Messiah. He preached about a religion based on faith, not a Temple, and one of love and passivity. Jerusalem was said to be the place where Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead, and these events became essential to the Christian faith.
In 312, Constantine got rid of the tetrarchy and declared himself emperor of all of the the Roman Empire. After the Battle of the Milvian Bridge where he believed he saw a sign from God, Constantine became a Christian. He made Christianity legal, and Christianity became the main religion of Rome. Christians were no longer persecuted for their religion, but they did have to interpret Christianity the way the emperor did. Therefore, many scholars can argue whether Constantine's contributions to Christianity were great or destructive. He played a large role in promoting the religion, but he also changed it so it was no longer the religion Jesus preached, one of passivity and spirituality. Constantine's mother also contributed to the Christian pilgrimages we practice today. Jerusalem, and specifically the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, became the new axis mundi. Myths that were once associated with the Temple Mount were transferred to the Church of the Holy Sepulchur, and the Nea Church was build to replace Solomon's Temple.
After the Jews were banned from Jerusalem, the city no longer was a center of religious activity. However, during the Byzantine Empire, the rise of Christianity made Jerusalem a focal point in religion once again. Over 300 years before Constantine, miraculous events were happening in Jerusalem. A man named Jesus claimed to be the Messiah. He preached about a religion based on faith, not a Temple, and one of love and passivity. Jerusalem was said to be the place where Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead, and these events became essential to the Christian faith.
In 312, Constantine got rid of the tetrarchy and declared himself emperor of all of the the Roman Empire. After the Battle of the Milvian Bridge where he believed he saw a sign from God, Constantine became a Christian. He made Christianity legal, and Christianity became the main religion of Rome. Christians were no longer persecuted for their religion, but they did have to interpret Christianity the way the emperor did. Therefore, many scholars can argue whether Constantine's contributions to Christianity were great or destructive. He played a large role in promoting the religion, but he also changed it so it was no longer the religion Jesus preached, one of passivity and spirituality. Constantine's mother also contributed to the Christian pilgrimages we practice today. Jerusalem, and specifically the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, became the new axis mundi. Myths that were once associated with the Temple Mount were transferred to the Church of the Holy Sepulchur, and the Nea Church was build to replace Solomon's Temple.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Jerusalem in Revolt
After Herod died in 4 BCE, three of his sons took over the throne. They were very ineffective rulers, so the Roman emperor eventually replaced them with Roman procurators, one being Pontius Pilate. Pontius Pilate ruled from 26-37 CE and is know for presiding over the trial of Jesus. An ineffective leader as well, he always provoked the Jews and was eventually also recalled and replaced. With the rise of Jewish nationalism and growing conflicts among the Jews and Romans, the stage was set for the Great Revolt of 66 CE to begin. However, this revolt was soon put out by Vespasian, the future emperor of the Romans. In 70 CE, on the 9th of Ab, the Temple was destroyed again and cognitive dissonance filled the Jews. In addition, Vespasian instituted a temple tax on only Jews, giving them further incentive to renounce their religion.
After years of oppression and humiliation by the Romans, the Jews began another revolt, called the Bar Kokhba Revolt. As propaganda, Bar Kokhba minted coins, usually an overstrike of Roman coins, but with many misspellings. He also wrote letters in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek to promote Jerusalem and the idea that he was the prince, or the Nsy. As a consequence, the Jews were bloodily punished by Hadrian. He banned circumcision, rebuilt Judea into Aelia Capitolina, and renamed the temple the Temple of Jupiter. This marked the end of Jerusalem for a long time, until 330 CE. However, from archaeological remains, there was a noticeable rise in local synagogues. The main question about these structures is whether they were built before or after the destruction of the Temple. Synagogues show the transformation of Jewish tradition from blood sacrifice to interpretation of the Torah, and that Jews no longer needed the one Temple in Jerusalem to practice their faith.
After years of oppression and humiliation by the Romans, the Jews began another revolt, called the Bar Kokhba Revolt. As propaganda, Bar Kokhba minted coins, usually an overstrike of Roman coins, but with many misspellings. He also wrote letters in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek to promote Jerusalem and the idea that he was the prince, or the Nsy. As a consequence, the Jews were bloodily punished by Hadrian. He banned circumcision, rebuilt Judea into Aelia Capitolina, and renamed the temple the Temple of Jupiter. This marked the end of Jerusalem for a long time, until 330 CE. However, from archaeological remains, there was a noticeable rise in local synagogues. The main question about these structures is whether they were built before or after the destruction of the Temple. Synagogues show the transformation of Jewish tradition from blood sacrifice to interpretation of the Torah, and that Jews no longer needed the one Temple in Jerusalem to practice their faith.
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