The Development of Jerusalem

 Sam Nichols

                                        Weekly Blog #1: The Development of Jerusalem

Before watching the documentary Jerusalem, created in 2013, I lacked a true understanding of the significance of the city and how it came to be what it is today. The documentary explained how Jerusalem is made up of four quarters, the Jewish, the Muslim, the Christian, and the Armenian quarters which sparked my interest in learning more about why these four groups were attracted to such a small area of land in such a massive world. Thus, in my first weekly blog, I aim to discuss why these groups thrive to build sovereignty in Jerusalem. 

Originally, the attraction of migrating to Jerusalem stemmed from its natural spring that ran through the city. Centuries later, many of these groups returned back to Jerusalem because of their roots which traced back to the city. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, Christians only make up roughly two percent of the population in Jerusalem. Despite their miniscule representation in the city, their roots in Jerusalem trace as far back to the Jesus Era. The city is filled with historic sites like “Via Dolorosa”, the path that many believe Jesus was forced to take on his way to Golgotha where he was crucified, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was believed to rise from the dead. Additionally, The bible claims that Jerusalem is the closest place on earth to heaven. The documentary, Jerusalem, made it clear why Christians wanted to return to Jerusalem and build one of the four quarters. Similarly to the Christian’s historic ancestry in the city, Jews also have a significant relationship to the area. Jerusalem elaborated on the religious figure, Zachariah, who was confident that the Jewish people would one day return to Jerusalem. Judeans eventually returned to their homeland, and rebuilt the Temple of Jerusalem around approximately 516 BCE according to the Harvard Divinity School. The Jews were faced with much adversity as the Roman Army destroyed the second temple, but they remained resilient and now make up roughly 60% of the Jerusalem population. 

Muslims, who make up around 37% of the population, trace their roots back to Jerusalem as far back as the Muhammed Era. By many Muslims, Jerusalem is considered an important place to pilgrimage following Makka. In Jerusalem, lies a large outcrop of bedrock, now known as the Dome of the Rock, which is where many Muslims believe the prophet Muhammed ascended to heaven. The shrine is now the center of the Al-Asqa mosque ​and is a significant piece to the Muslim quarter in Jerusalem. Jerusalem, clearly explained the three of the four quarters in Jerusalem, but never even scratched the surface of the Armenian quarter. This quarter is the smallest among the four quarters. According to “Albert Tours Blog” , the Armenians, who were the first nation to adopt Christianity, have always had a place in Jerusalem. These four groups have a significant history in Jerusalem and live in close proximity to one another. Perhaps, in the future, they will begin to integrate and engage with each other. 

 

Figure 1:

I found this interesting map of all four quarters of Jerusalem which I wanted to add to the blog.

Citations: https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/destruction-second-temple-70-ce#:~:text=Secular%20accounts%20place%20the%20completion,the%20first%20Roman%2DJewish%20war.

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jewish-and-non-jewish-population-of-israel-palestine-1517-present

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2003/12/9/the-history-of-jerusalem#:~:text=Ever%20since%20the%20time%20of,prophet's%20miraculous%20journey%20to%20heaven.