The Temple Mount's rich history and architectural evolution are awe-inspiring. Reflection on the continuity of spiritual significance and the layers of history that shaped this hallowed ground is fascinating.
I love how Eliav physcially takes us through the locations he is talking about. I learn best through visuals and explanations and hearing Eliav talk about these places that are so significant to everyone's history and especially the history of the land, it was extremely beneficial to see exactly what he was talking about. This video was also extremely beneficial in explaining Omar and his story, how he came to the land with what intentions. I truly enjoyed watching!!
I love how Eliav explains the importance of the temple in Jerusalem and how it was so integral to the entire city and its economy. He does an excellent job describing it and all its qualities.
I love seeing what we learn in class come into play and given its own clip on Eliav’s channel. It’s so interesting to watch these clips and more specifically this one about the temple mounts. I guess I didn’t expect the temple to be this big and extravagant.
It was very interesting to see all of the history that is connected to the Temple Mount. Yarkon also did well explaining it and underlining each aspect, it’s significance to the land. It was nice listening to different perspectives.
This video was a great addition to all the knowledge I have gained in the class over the Temple Mount and its significance to the region and the three monotheistic religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Professor Eliav does a great job summarizing the location and its importance in the past and present. Eliav’s years of research and study of this region really shine through in his videos and explanations.
This video was very informational. Professor starts off by summarizing the temple mount and explaining its importance and then continued to elaborate on why it was so significant based on the places, monuments, and cities near it, the different religions, culture, time periods, leaders, etc. Also, he mentions that Omar’s travels to the site involve much tribute to the Jewish traditions that existed before him. This site still holds so much importance today, and understanding the nuances of its religious significance is a key part of meaningfully and accurately engaging with the history and politics of the region.
It is crazy how much information I am able to absorb when it is in a format such as this one. I am a visual learner, so being able to connect the information to visuals in photographs and videos is incredible for my comprehension. I used this video to review what we have gone over in lecture, and it truly has helped to solidify the concepts that I have learned about The Temple Mount. I find its origin extremely interesting. Especially how the second temple was destroyed by the Romans, yet the Temple Mount was still brought back stronger than ever.
This video did a great job expanding upon the material Eliav taught in his class. The importance of the Temple Mount was examined and its significance and relativity to religions, kingdoms, and terms of its leaders were great additions to what he explained in his classroom. The significance of the religions was a great in-depth look at why it was so important to the 3 religions. The contrast of the Temple Mount and the church was also a great addition.
I love the depth of analysis in this video. The video backgrounds paired with commentary is perfect. Jerusalem is a beautiful city filled with perhaps more history than any other place on the face of the planet. A place that has been sought out after by many different groups of people. It is quite rare to see a place so important to the Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Truly a remarkable city and a city of faith.
The Temple Mount has so much historical, cultural, and religious significance. This site has transformed drastically over the years and is an extremely important place in some of the world's major religions. This is a fascinating video that highlights the beginnings of what has caused tension in our region for many years. The visuals that Eliav provides makes this for an interesting watch. It is always so fun seeing class material presented like this. Thank you Eliav!
Once again, mesmerised by Eliav's brilliant story telling skills, I found this video to be extremely informational and helpful in the context of the class. I felt like I was in the streets of Jerusalem retracing the sights and streets that captivated Omar's attention. With the context of the lecture of Islam arriving in the region, this video gave a great amount of clarity and helped me pictorially place events that would have led to the decision that Omar took, leading to Jerusalem becoming a holy city for the religion.
Eliav's journey's throughout the ancient Mediterranean provides unique insights once again. Summarizing the history of the temple mount in context of the 3 Abrahamic religious gives us students a wider picture of this singular foundation stone's infinite importance. Speaking of wider, the wider camera shots of the city of Jerusalem connected the modern city to its ancient religious roots. Finally, visualizing Caliph Omar's journey throughout the city reminded me of Eliav's retracing of Paul's movement through the city of Athens. Both figures had a tremendous impact on the development of their respective religions and the traditions associated with them today. Seeing Omar's steps through the city brought that process to life.
In this video, I love the way Professor eliav represented the Temple Mount with its significance to religion. And how he helped us visualize it by being there.
This video was a great overview of, not only the history of the Temple Mount but of its importance to different groups of people. It highlights that the significance isn’t as distinct and separate as commonly thought and that Omar’s travels to the site involve much tribute to the Jewish traditions that existed before him. This site still holds so much importance today, and understanding the nuances of its religious significance is a key part of meaningfully and accurately engaging with the history and politics of the region. I would love to learn more about the Temple Mount, and how people interact with it today
I rewatched this video to assist me while writing my final essay. There were several aspects of it that I found helpful and used in my essay. Most notably, I love how Eliav integrates his main insight into the story that is told through the video. He uses the various evidence and information he has to create an argument that unfolds as you watch. It is both engaging and helpful to learning about the topic. I also like how he gives context and insight into the location, like when he talks about Jerusalem in the opening. Overall, great video!
I always enjoy the way in which Eliav tells the history of places through stories, and by telling the story of Temple Mount's history in a story-like manner, It helps to truly understand Its history and importance to many cultures and religions. Having attended a Jewish school growing up and visited Jerusalem as a Jew, It is really important and interesting to hear about Jerusalem and the Temple Mount's importance to Muslims and Christians, like what is shared through Omar's story in this clip.
I think this Video does a great job in explaining and helping students understand they importance of the city of Jerusalem for different religions. This video also shows the diverse cultures inhabiting the city of Jerusalem today. We can see how different religious leaders throughout history had an impactful role of how the city of Jerusalem is today and how civilians live there today. While watching this video I was very curious as to what type of conflict there is in the city of Jerusalem especially for civilians living n unison with different religions .
This video was once again a great in depth look at history. Professor Yaron Eliav does a great job at encapsulating the entire Temple Mount while explaining its significance regarding nearby cities, monuments, culture, and relevant time periods. He highlights how Omar's visit to the site is so involved in the Jewish traditions that preceded him. As well the Temple Mount still holds value today. The religious significance is so strong it shares a lot about history and modern politics.
I agree with your last sentence about the modern day religious significance in regards to the history and modern politics within the area. I think Eliav does a fantastic job of explaining the building of the platform of the temple mount and the ideas behind the construction of the temple mount in regards to which populations felt connected spiritually. I also think Eliav does a good job, as you noted, in highlighting the importance of displaying your religion through buildings for others to see as that increases both awareness and acceptance in the region. Finally, it is neat how these religious places of worship still hold today through all of the events that have happened since the construction.
Learning more about the connection between Judaism and Islam and its relation to Temple Mount was very interesting. Getting to hear Omar's story helped give a better understanding the manifestation of redeemers in Jerusalem, and how the Temple Mount platform became a focus of religious belief and practice. I feel this video helped enhanced the topics we discussed in class and gave a more personal perspective to the religious conflicts in Jerusalem.
: I really enjoyed having Eliav take me through present day Jerusalem while discussing its history and evolution. The story of the Temple Mount was incredibly intriguing and I now have a better understanding of its significance in Israeli history.
It is amazing to me that Jerusalem, which was once a quaint, minor Canaanite city in Jevus, transformed into becoming a significant focal point for three of the world's largest religions today. This truly shows how the value put into a territory can sometimes be completely based off of an internal view of land rather than the objective prosperity of it. I personally would love the opportunity to visit the city of Jerusalem in my future, partly to fulfill the spiritual desire within me, but also to be able to stand in a place of such historical importance.
This video does a great job of showing just how improbable the story of Jerusalem is. Just how a city on the Central Hill, lacking a major water source, and a simple Canaanite town would became perhaps the most famous city on Earth is fascinating. It is a place with thousands of years of history and this 5 minute video quickly summarizes the history of it while highlighting the intersection of 3 major religions in such a small area.
I really enjoy how this video sets up Jerusalem as a city of the three monotheistic religions. I really got a great sense of how Jerusalem plays a crucial role in all of these religions. I also truly understand the beauty of the city from this video.
Watching this video at the end of this course was quite interesting. I can recall learning about the Romans destroying the temple, relocations and new buildings, and the different people and religions that have ruled this land. It's one thing to learn facts from slides in lecture, but to see actual videos of it (especially in modern times) makes it that much more breathtaking and helps piece together the history. I enjoy that Eliav provided a thorough yet brief history of the different peoples and religions that have dominated the land of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. It's really interesting how one place holds such significance to all of these monotheistic religions.
Eliav does such a great job showing and describing course content, and his video here about the temple mount is no exception. I think the most fascinating part for me was seeing something that many (including myself) consider to be a widely sacred and historical site existing in a modern city surrounded by very normal people. The juxtaposition is so interesting.
The Temple Mount has remained something that Professor Eliav has alluded to multiple times in class but seeing it is inexplicably something completely different. I liked that I was able to learn about its historical and cultural significance before seeing it through a video such as this one, it's cool to note parts in the video and be able to connect it to class content. I also like that Eliav provides historical background as well to how Omar's travels (as in the Pact of Omar) paid homage to the Jewish traditions that preceded his time.
The video shared a lot of useful information. The professor first talked about the temple mount, explaining why it's important. He then went on to discuss its significance in connection with nearby places, monuments, cities, different religions, cultures, historical periods, and important leaders. The professor also mentioned how Omar, in the past, respected the Jewish traditions associated with the site. Even today, this place is very important, and understanding its religious significance is crucial for making sense of the history and politics of the region.
In the process of learning about the Temple Mount, this video was very helpful to watch because of Eliav’s thorough explanation regarding its history and the story of Omar. I was previously, relatively oblivious to the history of the Temple Mount, and am now much more informed on both its historical significance and the influence of the Umayyads’ reinterpretation of Islamic history to add more religious significance to the Temple Mount. It is also very interesting to see how the Temple Mount has been significant to the three major religions in their own way. I also was one of the misinformed people who used to think that the Kottel was part of the temple, but am now aware that the Kottel was a western portion of the wall surrounding the Temple Mount.
It's so interesting to see how so many religions have strong connections to the city of Jerusalem, specifically at the Temple Mount. Through this video and learning about all the religions strong ties to the location, the often conflict that takes place there is not so surprising. In the news there are frequently stories about small altercations that take place between Jews and Arabs who both wish to visit one of the holiest sites to their corresponding religions. Watching this video gave me more information on how each side connects and sees the place as a Holy cite. During my several visits to the old city, it has always been amazing to see so many cultures recognizing the place's special nature.
I like the fact that Eliav goes into detail with the history of Jerusalem, mentioning the destruction of the temple in 70 CE. This was an important part of the structure of the history, because the city was rebuilt from this moment. The layout of the city changed along with their sense of religion. The Temple Mount was described very well with Eliav's narration. I enjoy the fact that these small videos always relate to what we learn in class but into more detail with more important features that we should know.
This week in class we had the lecture about the city of David - Jerusalem. I found it interesting how the city itself is at the seam between the northern and southern tribes. David made a sacrifice - much to the chagrin of his people Judah - to move from Hebron to Jevus. This move looked to unite the tribes in a more central geographic location and to bring them together in common worship. In the Temple Mount video, it was cool to see the actual on the ground layout of the city. Eliav talked about how the temple mount location was chosen because it was a flat piece of ground. I could actually see the topography of the land in the video which I appreciated.
As we have learned in class and from outside materials, the Temple Mount has been significant to this region for many, many years. Its importance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims goes to show how deeply rooted the Temple Mount is in the area’s history. Additionally, Jerusalem is a major city for all three religions. It is truly intriguing how religion can make a city/area so significant without there being outstanding political or economic meaning.
I really enjoyed this view of Jerusalem in the video, being able to understand it both visually and conceptually in the important role it plays as a holy city for Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. I think it is truly inspiring and unique that the Temple Mount can hold such significance for all three religions and make the city of Jerusalem a common ground in a religious context, which can be extremely divisive at times. I have visited Jerusalem, but I saw it through a primarily Jewish lens, and didn't get to see the Muslim quarter. It was fascinating to learn about the Islamic presence in the city.
This video was very informative and helped me get a better insight into the Temple Mount. I especially appreciated the videos of the area. It is crazy how the building of a temple uprooted and changed the layout of the city, which shows how important it was to the religions and culture. I have been to Jerusalem and it is cool to see how three religions each having a significant place of worship coexist in a small area. What once was a nonsignificant site for the Canaanites now holds a large significance in multiple regions, which has caused conflict. It can be hard to share a space with those who have different religious beliefs and use it in different ways.
This video was quite interesting and did an excellent job depicting the religious history of Jerusalem. As a Jew, learning about the many reasons why Jerusalem is significant to Christianity and Islam is both amazing and enlightening to me. It was particularly interesting to me to hear about Omar's arrival in Jerusalem and his time spent within the city. I would love to explore more deeply how and why Jerusalem came to hold such significance in Christianity and Islam.
I love how this video depicts the geography and set up of the city of Jerusalem. I also think it is interesting how many buildings in Jerusalem are stone and grayish white and the Dome of the Rock is gold accent. It shows the different influence that different religions had on the city.
This was a great video, and I liked that Eliav showed us the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Temple Mount. The part where he talks about Omar's visit to the city of Jerusalem was really awesome, and helped me to better visualize what we learned in lecture about his visit. I love how Eliav really explains the importance of the Temple Mount to Jewish people, and how the night journey of the Prophet Mohammad in Islam came to be associated with such an iconic place, leading to the building of the Dome of the Rock. Overall a very informative video!
It's nice to see Jerusalem as my family is from there. It's like I am right there with Professor Eliav. The Temple Mount has so much historical and religious significance. The video also goes into Caliphe Omar and what he was doing at the Temple Mount, as a Sunni Muslim it's nice to know the history of Omar. Great video to get a better understanding!
This video was very helpful for me in understanding the historical context surrounding the Temple Mount and it's significance in not just Judaism but also Christianity and Islam. It's interesting how large of an effect religion had on the city of Jerusalem, and it was great to learn about it through the Temple Mount.
I enjoyed how Eliav explained at the beginning of the video how Jevus a.k.a. Jerusalem was not a strategic place to settle geographically. This highlights how all of the conflict regarding the city is based purely on ideology rather than geography, which is interesting because many of the conflicts in this region started because of important geographical factors (such as water are fertile soil). This shows the how unique the conflicts over Jerusalem are. The history of how multiple different groups have had connections to Temple Mount over the years explains why so many groups feel attached to it today. This is an important piece in understanding the modern conflict of the land. Eliav does an excellent job explaining how historical events of different religions tie Muslims, Jews and Christians all to Temple Mount. This video shows just how unique of a religious site Temple Mount really is, and why it is so significant in the modern region of Israel/Palestine.
What a beautiful sight! It is remarkable how embedded the Temple Mount is to the city of Jerusalem, and how important the surrounding area is to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Despite the evolution and changes in the area, the Temple Mount has remained an important site for Jews-- the holiest site for them. Understanding the importance of the Temple Mount to Jews, as well as of the Dome of the Rock to Muslims, it becomes clear why conflict erupted at the beginning of the 20th century between Jews and Palestinian Arabs over prayer at the Temple Mount. Yet again, Professor Eliav does an incredible job using archeology as both windows to the past and explanations of the present.
I am amazed by how holy Jerusalem became to billions of people. It went from a lowly city in the out of the way Central Hills with no major trade routes, but became a hub of pilgrimage for Jews, Christians, Muslims. It also became the hub of a boisterous tourist industry. I hope to go there one day and visit the place considered holy and frankly, mysterious and ethereal to people located throughout the world.
I have really only experienced Jerusalem from the Jewish perspective so understanding how it became important to Muslims is very interesting to me. In my experience, I have been told one story with not much attention given to the other. I haven't even been able to enter the Muslim Quarter in the times I have been there. To see sites in the Muslim Quarter and to educate myself on the rich background that another culture has in the same city were eye-opening aspects of this video. This class has been enlightening to me for that very reason. I think it has helped me empathize more with all sides of this specific conflict, as well as other conflicts in history. Stepping beyond the perspective I was raised in is an important aspect of my academic journey. Thank you for a great class, Professor Eliav.
Following our brief discussion of the First and Second Temples last week in class, I was interested in learning more about their history, so naturally I turned to Eliav's TH-cam channel to gain further insight on the matter. Having attended Jewish day school when I was young, I heard little to none about the significance of Jerusalem for the Christian and Islam faiths, so this video was quite informative. The story of Omar's journey to the Temple Mount and his subsequent declaration of Mohammad's rise to heaven was unbeknownst to me. It's also interesting how despite the Roman's attempts to exclude the Jewish temple from their city, it remains a staple of modern Jewish culture and is arguably the most prominent site in Jerusalem. It is no surprise that Israel, and particularly Jerusalem, is such a hot bed for conflict given its religious significance to so many.
I found this video very interesting and especially educating to me. This video really illuminates the complicated nature of the city of Jerusalem in the sense that it is a holy site to people of many different religions. Thus far, we have learned about the significance of Jerusalem to the Jewish faith, and before taking this class I really only new this context. But, after watching this video, I see why it is holy to people of Muslim and Christian faiths as well. I can really paint a picture as to why there is so much conflict centered around this city, and the history of it is clear now.
It is extremely fascinating how the religious significance of the city of Jerusalem led to the formation of an entire economy. As the center of spirituality in Judaism and Christianity, and one of the three most holy religious cities in Islam, Jerusalem saw a great many pilgrims come to pray and worship at their respective religious sites. An economic ecosystem formed around these religious visitors and created an economy which lasts even to this day. Tourism, in the present, is fundamental to the structure of the economy of Jerusalem. Religious tourism brings great wealth to Jerusalem and has for over 1500 years! It is fascinating to examine the longevity of this economy which arose due to the religious significance of the city. When my family and I traveled through Jerusalem when I was younger, we engaged with this economy. It is cool to think that we were a part of something which had spanned generations upon generations.
This video really helps highlight the importance of Jerusalem in the context of the 3 different religions. I like how Eliav mentions that its not the location or geographical region that give it its importance. He does a great job taking us through the city, in fact, as a Muslim, visiting Jerusalem has been a wish of mine for a as long as I can remember. I was not too informed about Omar's story, but this video was very informative on this topic. Eliav was very detailed in his story telling. I really enjoyed hearing the athan in the background, as it reminded me of home.
I agree completely. It's also an interesting point that it's not the geography that makes the temple mount so important. So much of the class is focused around geography so its cool to see something that holds importance for different reasons. I had the opportunity to go to Israel this spring, but we actually didn't end up going to the temple mount. After watching the video and taking the class, I wish we did.
It is incredible to think about how Jerusalem is an extremely important city with large significance to three different religions. I have always looked to Jerusalem with awe because of this, but until taking Eliav’s class I never thought of how the meaning of Jerusalem to these religions evolved throughout history and how sought after the city was. From being the site where the Jews built their temple and worshipped their god, to being the city that Jesus is said to have lived in and preached in for much of his life, and the place where the prophet Muhammad is said to have ascended into heaven and met god and the prophets, Jerusalem is arguably the most religiously significant city in the world. This video was very insightful in getting more information about the Temple Mount, and about what happened when Omar arrived. It was very interesting to hear about how when he arrived, the city was already thought of being a place where both Jewish and Christian messiahs had lived. With Omar taking over the city and then the Umayyad’s giving a large significance to Temple Mount in Islam later on, it is a story of just one of the many times that Jerusalem took on major religious significance to one of several religions.
Having been to Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulcher before, I found the contents of this video extremely interesting. When I was first there I didn't know very much about the history of Jerusalem or all of the conflict that had taken place in that very spot. After taking Eliav's class, I now understand all that went down and feel I need to go back to get a more full experience. That being said, the video does a fantastic job of illustrating what it was like for Omar to arrive at the city. The video helps explain how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam intersect and further explains the conflict of the region.
I enjoy educational videos that tell a story, Eliav effectively recreates the legend of Omar entering Jerusalem. By walking the route Omar took it was easy to envision the effects the city had on Omar. The video taught me that Omar entering the city was not the most significant aspect of the story, but rather how later religious teachings would interpret the story.
Moving through the city and seeing the actual sites in video format was very helpful in for my mental construction of the events of the Caliph Omar. By walking through the city and seeing where he was granted a greater physical understanding of what occurred here. It was also very interesting to see, in video format at least, how Islam and Islamic features are present in Jerusalem.
I find it interesting how the religious significance of the temple mound and Jerusalem as a whole have shifted so much over the years. It is very fascinating to me that the temple mound has religious significance for both members of Isam and Jews and that as it evolved over time so did the layout of Jerusalem.
Eliav is in my mind the best tour guide in Israel. I have never been to Israel, Jerusalem or even the Temple. But Eliav's video screen was very helpful. Although the picture quality of the video screen is not very high, I found Eliav's explanation very helpful. It all contains Eliav's decades of research and his own understanding. So I really recommend those who have never been to Israel to watch this video first.
Seeing him physically walk through where Paul walked, stand within ancient ruins, or point to historical sites provides such a visual learning experience. So many times I have been stumped by something in class and then watching one of his videos puts it all into perspective.
The Temple Mount had a huge impact on Jerusalem and the Jews. Its cultural significance is important when studying the history of the land and Eliav did a good job explaining it.
It's intriguing to see just how Jerusalem emerged as a prominent religious hub for the three different religions, and to see how the Temple Mount was incorporated into the region throughout the three different reigns. I also find the description of Umar's entrance into the city revealing, as it reflects the tenuous religious dynamics at play and Umar's recognition of such -- he was conscious, for instance, of the city's status of being home to a long tradition of redeemers.
Having visited Jerusalem and been to both the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the outside of the Temple Mount, at the Western Wall. It is extremely interesting to see how the city of Jerusalem and the various sites within it became so important to western society and religion. I thought it was very interesting for Eliav to tell the story of Omar in Jerusalem while showing the modern locations where he was all of those centuries ago.
I didn't realize that the temple Mount came to have significance in the Islamic faith. This video did a good job of explaining the ways in which different religions interacted with the significance of the temple Mount and I enjoyed being able to see the physical construction of both the temple and the church.
I found it particularly interesting to understand the overall concept of how Jerusalem was such an unimportant Canaanite city and that, not because of its geography or resource-filled land, but solely because of religion, is how the area became the popular geographical phenomenon it is today. it is also important to note that such a. decision to leave the temple mount standing was so significant, and these individuals who made that decision don't understand the magnitude of leaving the mount standing.
It is very interesting how 3 of the largest religions all have a very important religious location located in close vicinity to each other. But after this video and lecture, it makes sense why this happened. This video is very informative about how the religious importance of the city led to it becoming a Christian and then an Islamic center.
Professor Eliav summarizes the Temple Mount and explains the significance of the places, monuments, and cities near it. This video is full of information that is important to understand for this course like the different religions mentioned, the culture, time periods, and leaders that had an effect on the history and geography of the region. In addition, Eliav highlights how Omar’s visit to the site is involved in the Jewish traditions that preceded him.
This was such an interesting video. I love learning more about the history of Jerusalem. I find it very interesting that all three Abrahamic religions have important ties to the same location, though it of course makes more sense after today's class and the viewing of this video. Part of the reasons that Constantine wanted to make Jerusalem an important site for Christianity and now why Muslims built the Dome of the Rock at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem are because it has had such a rich religious history. Eliav did a great job at explaining this new addition to the long history of the Temple Mount and its significance throughout time.
I had heard of the Temple Mount many times before, but this video provides great clarification on the importance behind the site, and did a great job of explaining the setting in a story like fashion. I find the dynamics between this sight along with the religious implications of Judaism and Islam to be extremely important to examine and understand from both a historical perspective, but also to further why the sight is so heavily visited upon in the modern day. I did not realize the Temple Mount held this much significance and was even a place in which mass suicide took place. This was a great video, and very informative!
It is fascinating to see how a city that had no prior religious significance to Islam, now have a huge significance to Muslims, especially, since there was no direct reference to the area from the Surah As-Sakhra. In addition, I liked how Professor Eliav incorporated the modern day sounds of the Temple Mount that we could hear throughout the video. It made me feel like I was actually in the area.
It was interesting to learn about how this area plays a significant role in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. I also really enjoyed the clips of the place because it gave a good feel for the cultural diversity around the Temple Mount.
it’s very interesting to see how the temple mount site shifted purpose as different religion rule over the region. I also think it’s fascinating that the first thing Omar ask when he enters Jerusalem was to see the temple mount and spend the night there, shows how the two religion correlates and shares the same site/area as a very sacred site.
In this video, Eliav took us on a journey through some of the most important sites of Jerusalem, including the Church of the holy Sepulcher and Temple Mount. The explanation of the visit of Caliph Omar to Jerusalem was very interesting and brought a lot of detail to the historical events we discussed in our lectures. The connection of the Prophet Mohammed’s night journey to the iconic Temple Mount helped us understand the religious intersections between Judaism and Islam better. The representation of the significance of the Temple Mount across Judaism, Christianity and Islam showed its lasting historical and religious impact. Like Eliav’s journeys in the Mediterranean, the video helped to link modern Jerusalem to its historical roots and religious importance.
We discussed this in class, but I find it very interesting how Jevus started off as a non-important Canaanite city and then developed into the religious hub of the monotheistic religion. While it is stated that the city was made this way because of all the religiously significant things that happened in it, it is cool to see how the city was seemingly chosen cause of its location and its political importance at the time. It is also interesting to hear how the Temple Mound was once the actual dump of the city, before regaining its religious significance.
It's truly fascinating how, in the narrative of Caliph Omar's arrival in Jerusalem, we enter a realm where history and legend intertwine. The details may vary in the accounts of his inquiries about the Temple of Solomon, his night in the Tower of David, and the events on the Haram, with some aspects veiled in the mystique of legend. What's striking is that, whether rooted in fact or embellished by lore, the outcome remains unchanged. The fact that we may not have a precise account of every detail doesn't diminish the profound impact these events had on the course of history.
This video truly encompasses Jerusalem's transition, moving from an essential city in the region (Israel/Palestine) to a significant religious powerhouse for the main Abrahamic religions. The video expertly expresses why the three major Abrahamic faiths considered the city a holy land, the Jews due to David, the Christians due to Constantine and his mother, and Muslims due to Emperor Omar and his successors having religious-political reasons for titling Jerusalem a holy city. The various political choices that resulted in Jerusalem being dubbed holy by all three religions are a marvel to learn. The video offers a compelling expansion of Omar's time in Jerusalem.
This video does a great job at showing, not only the importance of Jerusalem, but the reasoning behind it. We discussed in my section how religious was a huge importance and reason behind the influence Jerusalem has. It has no major water source, which is typically a reason for a location having such prestige. Water in this case, allows for Jerusalem to be so prominent, rather than it being so prominent strictly due to water. Had Judaism, Christianity, and Islam not been rooted in this city, its importance would have dwindled. Learning about Omar in this video, and the way he entered the city being humble by wearing a cloth and riding a Donkey, was very interesting to me. We discussed how there is a difference between a "Legend" and "History" which offers the question of whether this truly happened in real history or not, but nevertheless it provides interesting context for the history behind it.
It's amazing how the Temple Mount was able to survive thousands of years of history, and multiple transitions in power. As shown in the video, when the Romans restructured Jerusalem, the Temple Mount was left outside the city boundaries and neglected. However, its religious and symbolic significance was recognized by the Islamic forces who took over the city later on, and the Temple Mount was again established as a religious center. I think that the Temple Mount's longevity can be attributed to its importance to religions like Judaism and Islam; believers of these religions will always be dedicated to preserving and maintaining the area. The Herod's masterful architectural accomplishments displayed in the Temple Mount complex also contributes to its magnificence and symbolic importance, further cementing its longevity in history. Its grandeur and beauty makes it the perfect platform to hold religious significance, a fact that was recognized by both the Jews and Muslims.
3. After learning about the demolish/fall of the first temple in 586 BCE, and the rise of the second temple in 538 BCE with the funding of the Persians under King Cyrus' rule, this allowed me to gain more insight on this building and what it people of different religions. it was also really interesting to me that it was known as a city of unimportance, in which this is proved to be contradicted many times later on in history. Lastly, it is informative to see the difference of the importance level of Jerusalem as the Romans ruling the city created this location as unimportant, as we later see this become the holiest place of worship for the Judeans.
It is very interesting to see how the Temple Mount was so influential for three of the major religions in the world. After watching this video and attending Eliav´s class, I am able to understand the political reasons why the leaders of these religions chose this place to be an important place of worship. These decisions taken by King David, Constantine and the Umayyads have had tremendous impact on current events in the region. The main clashing point nowadays is religion, and these leaders are the ones that related the Temple Mount to their specific religious/political agenda.
I find it interesting how over time, the city of Jerusalem became important to the three major Abrahamic religions in different ways. And how those religious connections are still felt very strongly by each to this day. I didn't know that Jerusalem became a major center for Islam later on in history, it's cool to see how the perspective of the city changed overtime. I remember from when I visited Israel with my family being able to see the Dome of the Rock and the Kotel overlooking much of the old city, it truly is beautiful.
I recognized the intro music from Eliavs other videos and Paul in Athens. I enjoyed seeing the layout of modern day Jerusalem, it helps to create a clear picture of where everything is in this important religious city. There seem to be some similarity between the arrival of Omar in Jerusalem, and Paul in Athens, with them both entering humbling not really drawing attention to themselves. They both go and explore the major religious/sacred parts of the respective cities. I was not aware of the story of the foundation stone in Islam and that it was located on the Temple Mount. This explains why Jerusalem an important city to not only Jews and Christians but also Muslims. I am interested to learn more about the rise of Islam in our region.
It is so interesting to see how the space occupied by the Temple Mount evolved through history as different religions rose. It is also fascinating to think what would have been if any of these small events that played significant roles in developing modern religions today had gone differently. For example, if Omar had gone to a land other than Israel, would there be so much fighting today? If the Romans were able to defeat the Muslims, would there be peace in the Middle East?
I thought this video provided incredible insight into the history of Temple Mount, particularly relating to its religious significance. With connections to both Judaism and Islam, the Temple Mount is a unique yet crucial landmark when understanding the overlap and origin of these two religions. I particularly find Caliph Omar’s visit to the temple mount and that period of Islamic infiltration a very interesting time to study and understand because it is the epitome of religious overlap.
Most of the people in my country are Christian, Buddhist, or Catholic and are not very devout. Also, there are no large religious temples around the city. So, not many people talk about their religion and even fewer conflicts about the spiritual stuff. So it was very interesting to see holy people of different faiths living together peacefully because I assumed there would be a lot of conflicts there. Thank you for sharing the lives of people in this detailed city.
I thought it was very interesting to learn about how Jerusalem went from being a mostly unimportant Canaanite city to the political and cultural epicenter it is today, and found it cool to think about how the religious importance of the city was the largest differentiator between Jerusalem and other potential capitals for Israel. Jerusalem was not in a location of particular geographical significance, nor was it found at a key economic juncture. Instead, what made Jerusalem so important was the Temple Mount. From this perspective, which classifies the Temple Mount as the catalyst for Jerusalem's importance, thinking about how the city and Temple Mount evolved as it came under control of different religions becomes even more thought provoking.
It is very interesting to see how Omar used the day existing faith traditions associated with the temple mount to elevate it to become one of the most important spots in Islam. I enjoyed following professor Eliav's analysis of the small events that lead to the most massive movements in history. I was unaware prior to this video of the clearing process of the Temple Mount undertaken by the Umayyads.
This video really highlights how all of the major monotheistic religions cometogether in the city of Jerusalem with each main religion have a major religious site somewhere in the old city. (Jews - western wall, Christians - holy sepulchre, Muslims - temple mt and al aqsa mosque). This video also highlights the importance of this city and how it is important individually for all three of these major religions.
I found it very interesting how this relatively short triangular region in Jerusalem is home to important sites in three of the major religions of the world today. The story of Omar was extremely insightful to me as it gave such a clear telling as to why the Temple Mount and the foundation stone have such importance in Islam today, when the Temple Mount was originally created during the Second Temple Period to honor a cite renowned in Judaism. In such a small area such contrasting religions and religious monuments stand, all of high importance, so I understand why some people today say if WW3 does not start between Russia and Ukraine it would be in Jerusalem. In saying that, I find it ironic that these extremely important religious sites that cause conflict sometimes in Jerusalem were the result of very similar practices of an expanding empire wanting to find a city in the region that could have religious importance imbued within in, like the Byzantines and Islamic Periods showed.
In the past lecture, we learned about the Crusades, a period during which the First and Second Temple are in use simultaneously. At the time, the Crusades converted what is shown as the Temple Mount in this video into Christian buildings which infuriated the Muslim population, causing tensions that still exist today. In this video, Eliav explains the complex role of this region in various religions and the significance that it carries across communities. Given the tensions today, it is so interesting to see how, why and when each of these religions connected to this city which according to Eliav actually had no strategic, geographic or economic significance.
It is really interesting to hear how the Temple Mount has been intertwined with all three religions and played an important role. The fact that it lasted throughout history and had different types of power for different religions is fascinating. I enjoyed this video because I was able to learn that it is the holiest site in Judaism, Christians found it important because it was the site of several events in the life of Jesus, and it is a holy site in Islam. I hope to learn more about this in class.
Eliav does an excellent job at expressing the beauty of the Temple Mount and its rich history. I find it fascinating how the Temple Mount was initially for Judaism, then had additions due to the rise of Christianity and the creation of Islam. It makes me wonder how it must be to live in such a diverse area filled with three very popular religions and whether or not the people live in harmony with such differing beliefs.
Historically speaking, Jerusalem is of great importance to the three major religions. To many, the new temple on the Temple Mount is seen as the Third Temple, a continuation of the first two. This shows how important history is and the ethnic identities that we chose to become a part of - in this aspect, a shared history.
There are a lot of interesting things happening here. We see the theme of geography come up again when discussing the relative unimportance of Jevus. It had no useful physical properties and thus wasn't thought of much in ancient times when those physical properties were of the utmost importance. As society developed and other things than basic physical necessities began to garner attention, we see the city develop its importance - a religious one. It's also really fascinating how closely tied Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are. They're clearly distinct faiths, but they share a lot when it comes to the circumstances and locations of their origins. I've definitely already learned a lot more than I knew about the history of Jerusalem's religious ties.
I am impressed by the Caliph Omar's tactics in entering Jerusalem. It is is not only emblematic of his personal piety but also a politically astute move. He reflects a continuity with the city's past as the site of religious and redemptive history - a place where prophets and messiahs have walked. Additionally, I thought it was interesting how the video was told from the perspective of Legend and not fact. It is interesting to juxtapose this tale with historical facts.
It's quite interesting to see how the layout of Jerusalem is shaped largely by its religious influences, specifically as the city changes ruling powers. Not only this, the 'nucleus' of the city shifting over time as mentioned tells of how even today, the city, despite being in a mostly secular country, is under the influence of a thousand year history of different religious struggles.
It is really interesting to hear about how Jerusalem came to be the city it is today. On paper, it seems like an unlikely choice for being one of the most politically and religiously important cities in the region, yet it was almost by pure happenstance that it ended up this way. Now it is one of the most important cities in all three major Abrahamic religions. This is part of what makes Jerusalem, and thus the ownership of our region, so contentious. In the past, the religious associations in Jerusalem accompanied the rise and fall of powers. Today, the overlapping of the various religious meanings imposed on the area has created a central point of conflict in the ongoing Israel-Palestine. Whereas in the past, powers were replace one after another, today, we must find a way to have multiple powers coexist together and share a religious center. This is why it is important to understand the history of the city and the temple mount.
One point this video brings up that I find particularly interesting is the fact that Jerusalem is neither in a strategic geographical location nor a “major intersection with economic significance.” Despite this, Jerusalem was a place of contest, due to its religious significance to several groups. This demonstrates the power of religion within the region, people were willing to fight for the area despite its lack of geographical advantages. It was interesting to see some of the history of Jerusalem in the video and the role that Christianity played in Jerusalem’s past.
It has been extremely interesting to see throughout this course how Christianity, Islam, and Judaism each have their own ties to Jerusalem. This video emphasizes the relationship between the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple Mount. It is also extremely interesting to see that each of these religions did not initially have any significant ties to the region, but took actions in history that made this region more significant to their religion. It is extremely important for all people to understand the significance of Jerusalem in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism to understand why the Middle East is so volatile. Each of these religions want a piece of this land because of its historical and religious significance. This video was extremely informational.
To me, the most significant point in this video is Omar's journey to the temple mount. The ultimate consequence of this visit established Jerusalem as the religious center of Islamic world outside of the Arabian peninsula with the establishment of the dome of the rock on the temple mount. This was an important step in the progression of the Islamic empire. With Damascus as the capital, they needed a religious center that was closer to Damascus than Mecca or Medina was, and Jerusalem served that purpose.
I find this class very enlightening on the relationship between the three major religions that claimed dominance in our region. I always thought that these religions were built from the ground up, but we have seen a very different story. There was much more of a borrowing process during the creation of Christianity and Islam. In addition, they took a period of time to solidify and mold into a cohesive set of beliefs, whether that be during the long history of the kingdom of Judah that culminated in the establishment of Yehud or the centuries after Jesus until the 3rd century turmoil in the Roman Empire. I think it would be helpful for the world to know about the complex relationship between Islam and Christianity and how at the beginning, the caliph was very reverent about the holy sites in Jerusalem and granted favor on Christians and Jews as long as they paid their tax. I think this commonality holds hope for the future.
I find it very interesting to hear about how the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have strong ties to the city of Jerusalem. The religious significance of the city to all three religions continues to play a large role in today's events, as it is the center of many tensions over the region. Therefore, looking back and being able to see some of the origins of this religious significance is very applicable and I enjoyed being able to visualize the region itself throughout the video.
I find it really interesting that the Jewish Temple "competed" with the Christian church that Constantinople built. It made me think about the multicultural and war-torn nature of the city, and in particular the way the cities urban environment reflects that. I also really enjoyed hearing about the gates, and the ways in which they were altered based on which civilizations were in control of the city at the time.
Jerusalem is a fascinating city with a rich history that gives us a lot of insight into many periods of history. One of the main reasons for this is the association it has with three major world religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. This city is a key location in all three of these religions, serving as a setting for the origins of many beliefs and ideals. The first religion that established roots in Jerusalem was Judaism, with connections going all the way back to the 10th century BC. This city is so important to Jewish people because it was home to the first and second temple and became known as the “holy city” in the old testament. Today the only remnants of the temple is the Western Wall which is considered the holiest place in Jewish culture. There are also countless other Jewish traditions centered in Jerusalem and it is believed that when the Temple is rebuilt the Messiah will come. Jerusalem is also a central location to Christianity. The city is strongly associated with Jesus as that is where he was crucified and resurrected. It is also where his tomb is located in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, an important site with many chapels and shrines. Apart from Jesus, many new testament biblical events occurred in or were associated with Jerusalem leading to it currently being home to many monuments and holy sites. The last religion centered in Jerusalem is Islam. This was the last of the three to establish itself in the city, with the Al-Aqsa mosque said to be the furthest Muhammad traveled and is known as the nocturnal journey. Although there is debate as to whether this is true or not, it does not change the fact that Jerusalem has become quite significant in Islam. The most important Islam sites in the city today are located on the temple mount. These include the Al-Aqsa mosque as well as the Dome of the Rock, the place where it is believed that Muhammad ascended into heaven. Overall the connection that Jerusalem brings to these three religions is one that is quite fascinating especially considering the differences in their cultures and beliefs.
The Temple Mount's rich history and architectural evolution are awe-inspiring. Reflection on the continuity of spiritual significance and the layers of history that shaped this hallowed ground is fascinating.
I love how Eliav physcially takes us through the locations he is talking about. I learn best through visuals and explanations and hearing Eliav talk about these places that are so significant to everyone's history and especially the history of the land, it was extremely beneficial to see exactly what he was talking about. This video was also extremely beneficial in explaining Omar and his story, how he came to the land with what intentions. I truly enjoyed watching!!
I love how Eliav explains the importance of the temple in Jerusalem and how it was so integral to the entire city and its economy. He does an excellent job describing it and all its qualities.
I love seeing what we learn in class come into play and given its own clip on Eliav’s channel. It’s so interesting to watch these clips and more specifically this one about the temple mounts. I guess I didn’t expect the temple to be this big and extravagant.
It was very interesting to see all of the history that is connected to the Temple Mount. Yarkon also did well explaining it and underlining each aspect, it’s significance to the land. It was nice listening to different perspectives.
Great video! I really helped me understand the geography and importance of the Temple Mount!
This video was a great addition to all the knowledge I have gained in the class over the Temple Mount and its significance to the region and the three monotheistic religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Professor Eliav does a great job summarizing the location and its importance in the past and present. Eliav’s years of research and study of this region really shine through in his videos and explanations.
This video was very informational. Professor starts off by summarizing the temple mount and explaining its importance and then continued to elaborate on why it was so significant based on the places, monuments, and cities near it, the different religions, culture, time periods, leaders, etc. Also, he mentions that Omar’s travels to the site involve much tribute to the Jewish traditions that existed before him. This site still holds so much importance today, and understanding the nuances of its religious significance is a key part of meaningfully and accurately engaging with the history and politics of the region.
It is crazy how much information I am able to absorb when it is in a format such as this one. I am a visual learner, so being able to connect the information to visuals in photographs and videos is incredible for my comprehension. I used this video to review what we have gone over in lecture, and it truly has helped to solidify the concepts that I have learned about The Temple Mount. I find its origin extremely interesting. Especially how the second temple was destroyed by the Romans, yet the Temple Mount was still brought back stronger than ever.
This video did a great job expanding upon the material Eliav taught in his class. The importance of the Temple Mount was examined and its significance and relativity to religions, kingdoms, and terms of its leaders were great additions to what he explained in his classroom. The significance of the religions was a great in-depth look at why it was so important to the 3 religions. The contrast of the Temple Mount and the church was also a great addition.
I love the depth of analysis in this video. The video backgrounds paired with commentary is perfect. Jerusalem is a beautiful city filled with perhaps more history than any other place on the face of the planet. A place that has been sought out after by many different groups of people. It is quite rare to see a place so important to the Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Truly a remarkable city and a city of faith.
The Temple Mount has so much historical, cultural, and religious significance. This site has transformed drastically over the years and is an extremely important place in some of the world's major religions. This is a fascinating video that highlights the beginnings of what has caused tension in our region for many years. The visuals that Eliav provides makes this for an interesting watch. It is always so fun seeing class material presented like this. Thank you Eliav!
Once again, mesmerised by Eliav's brilliant story telling skills, I found this video to be extremely informational and helpful in the context of the class. I felt like I was in the streets of Jerusalem retracing the sights and streets that captivated Omar's attention. With the context of the lecture of Islam arriving in the region, this video gave a great amount of clarity and helped me pictorially place events that would have led to the decision that Omar took, leading to Jerusalem becoming a holy city for the religion.
Eliav's journey's throughout the ancient Mediterranean provides unique insights once again. Summarizing the history of the temple mount in context of the 3 Abrahamic religious gives us students a wider picture of this singular foundation stone's infinite importance. Speaking of wider, the wider camera shots of the city of Jerusalem connected the modern city to its ancient religious roots. Finally, visualizing Caliph Omar's journey throughout the city reminded me of Eliav's retracing of Paul's movement through the city of Athens. Both figures had a tremendous impact on the development of their respective religions and the traditions associated with them today. Seeing Omar's steps through the city brought that process to life.
In this video, I love the way Professor eliav represented the Temple Mount with its significance to religion. And how he helped us visualize it by being there.
This video was a great overview of, not only the history of the Temple Mount but of its importance to different groups of people. It highlights that the significance isn’t as distinct and separate as commonly thought and that Omar’s travels to the site involve much tribute to the Jewish traditions that existed before him. This site still holds so much importance today, and understanding the nuances of its religious significance is a key part of meaningfully and accurately engaging with the history and politics of the region. I would love to learn more about the Temple Mount, and how people interact with it today
I rewatched this video to assist me while writing my final essay. There were several aspects of it that I found helpful and used in my essay. Most notably, I love how Eliav integrates his main insight into the story that is told through the video. He uses the various evidence and information he has to create an argument that unfolds as you watch. It is both engaging and helpful to learning about the topic. I also like how he gives context and insight into the location, like when he talks about Jerusalem in the opening. Overall, great video!
I always enjoy the way in which Eliav tells the history of places through stories, and by telling the story of Temple Mount's history in a story-like manner, It helps to truly understand Its history and importance to many cultures and religions. Having attended a Jewish school growing up and visited Jerusalem as a Jew, It is really important and interesting to hear about Jerusalem and the Temple Mount's importance to Muslims and Christians, like what is shared through Omar's story in this clip.
I think this Video does a great job in explaining and helping students understand they importance of the city of Jerusalem for different religions. This video also shows the diverse cultures inhabiting the city of Jerusalem today. We can see how different religious leaders throughout history had an impactful role of how the city of Jerusalem is today and how civilians live there today. While watching this video I was very curious as to what type of conflict there is in the city of Jerusalem especially for civilians living n unison with different religions .
This video was once again a great in depth look at history. Professor Yaron Eliav does a great job at encapsulating the entire Temple Mount while explaining its significance regarding nearby cities, monuments, culture, and relevant time periods. He highlights how Omar's visit to the site is so involved in the Jewish traditions that preceded him. As well the Temple Mount still holds value today. The religious significance is so strong it shares a lot about history and modern politics.
I agree with your last sentence about the modern day religious significance in regards to the history and modern politics within the area. I think Eliav does a fantastic job of explaining the building of the platform of the temple mount and the ideas behind the construction of the temple mount in regards to which populations felt connected spiritually. I also think Eliav does a good job, as you noted, in highlighting the importance of displaying your religion through buildings for others to see as that increases both awareness and acceptance in the region. Finally, it is neat how these religious places of worship still hold today through all of the events that have happened since the construction.
Learning more about the connection between Judaism and Islam and its relation to Temple Mount was very interesting. Getting to hear Omar's story helped give a better understanding the manifestation of redeemers in Jerusalem, and how the Temple Mount platform became a focus of religious belief and practice. I feel this video helped enhanced the topics we discussed in class and gave a more personal perspective to the religious conflicts in Jerusalem.
: I really enjoyed having Eliav take me through present day Jerusalem while discussing its history and evolution. The story of the Temple Mount was incredibly intriguing and I now have a better understanding of its significance in Israeli history.
It is amazing to me that Jerusalem, which was once a quaint, minor Canaanite city in Jevus, transformed into becoming a significant focal point for three of the world's largest religions today. This truly shows how the value put into a territory can sometimes be completely based off of an internal view of land rather than the objective prosperity of it. I personally would love the opportunity to visit the city of Jerusalem in my future, partly to fulfill the spiritual desire within me, but also to be able to stand in a place of such historical importance.
This video does a great job of showing just how improbable the story of Jerusalem is. Just how a city on the Central Hill, lacking a major water source, and a simple Canaanite town would became perhaps the most famous city on Earth is fascinating. It is a place with thousands of years of history and this 5 minute video quickly summarizes the history of it while highlighting the intersection of 3 major religions in such a small area.
I really enjoy how this video sets up Jerusalem as a city of the three monotheistic religions. I really got a great sense of how Jerusalem plays a crucial role in all of these religions. I also truly understand the beauty of the city from this video.
Watching this video at the end of this course was quite interesting. I can recall learning about the Romans destroying the temple, relocations and new buildings, and the different people and religions that have ruled this land. It's one thing to learn facts from slides in lecture, but to see actual videos of it (especially in modern times) makes it that much more breathtaking and helps piece together the history. I enjoy that Eliav provided a thorough yet brief history of the different peoples and religions that have dominated the land of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. It's really interesting how one place holds such significance to all of these monotheistic religions.
Eliav does such a great job showing and describing course content, and his video here about the temple mount is no exception. I think the most fascinating part for me was seeing something that many (including myself) consider to be a widely sacred and historical site existing in a modern city surrounded by very normal people. The juxtaposition is so interesting.
The Temple Mount has remained something that Professor Eliav has alluded to multiple times in class but seeing it is inexplicably something completely different. I liked that I was able to learn about its historical and cultural significance before seeing it through a video such as this one, it's cool to note parts in the video and be able to connect it to class content. I also like that Eliav provides historical background as well to how Omar's travels (as in the Pact of Omar) paid homage to the Jewish traditions that preceded his time.
The video shared a lot of useful information. The professor first talked about the temple mount, explaining why it's important. He then went on to discuss its significance in connection with nearby places, monuments, cities, different religions, cultures, historical periods, and important leaders. The professor also mentioned how Omar, in the past, respected the Jewish traditions associated with the site. Even today, this place is very important, and understanding its religious significance is crucial for making sense of the history and politics of the region.
In the process of learning about the Temple Mount, this video was very helpful to watch because of Eliav’s thorough explanation regarding its history and the story of Omar. I was previously, relatively oblivious to the history of the Temple Mount, and am now much more informed on both its historical significance and the influence of the Umayyads’ reinterpretation of Islamic history to add more religious significance to the Temple Mount. It is also very interesting to see how the Temple Mount has been significant to the three major religions in their own way. I also was one of the misinformed people who used to think that the Kottel was part of the temple, but am now aware that the Kottel was a western portion of the wall surrounding the Temple Mount.
It's so interesting to see how so many religions have strong connections to the city of Jerusalem, specifically at the Temple Mount. Through this video and learning about all the religions strong ties to the location, the often conflict that takes place there is not so surprising. In the news there are frequently stories about small altercations that take place between Jews and Arabs who both wish to visit one of the holiest sites to their corresponding religions. Watching this video gave me more information on how each side connects and sees the place as a Holy cite. During my several visits to the old city, it has always been amazing to see so many cultures recognizing the place's special nature.
I like the fact that Eliav goes into detail with the history of Jerusalem, mentioning the destruction of the temple in 70 CE. This was an important part of the structure of the history, because the city was rebuilt from this moment. The layout of the city changed along with their sense of religion. The Temple Mount was described very well with Eliav's narration. I enjoy the fact that these small videos always relate to what we learn in class but into more detail with more important features that we should know.
This week in class we had the lecture about the city of David - Jerusalem. I found it interesting how the city itself is at the seam between the northern and southern tribes. David made a sacrifice - much to the chagrin of his people Judah - to move from Hebron to Jevus. This move looked to unite the tribes in a more central geographic location and to bring them together in common worship. In the Temple Mount video, it was cool to see the actual on the ground layout of the city. Eliav talked about how the temple mount location was chosen because it was a flat piece of ground. I could actually see the topography of the land in the video which I appreciated.
As we have learned in class and from outside materials, the Temple Mount has been significant to this region for many, many years. Its importance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims goes to show how deeply rooted the Temple Mount is in the area’s history. Additionally, Jerusalem is a major city for all three religions. It is truly intriguing how religion can make a city/area so significant without there being outstanding political or economic meaning.
I really enjoyed this view of Jerusalem in the video, being able to understand it both visually and conceptually in the important role it plays as a holy city for Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. I think it is truly inspiring and unique that the Temple Mount can hold such significance for all three religions and make the city of Jerusalem a common ground in a religious context, which can be extremely divisive at times. I have visited Jerusalem, but I saw it through a primarily Jewish lens, and didn't get to see the Muslim quarter. It was fascinating to learn about the Islamic presence in the city.
This video was very informative and helped me get a better insight into the Temple Mount. I especially appreciated the videos of the area. It is crazy how the building of a temple uprooted and changed the layout of the city, which shows how important it was to the religions and culture. I have been to Jerusalem and it is cool to see how three religions each having a significant place of worship coexist in a small area. What once was a nonsignificant site for the Canaanites now holds a large significance in multiple regions, which has caused conflict. It can be hard to share a space with those who have different religious beliefs and use it in different ways.
This video was quite interesting and did an excellent job depicting the religious history of Jerusalem. As a Jew, learning about the many reasons why Jerusalem is significant to Christianity and Islam is both amazing and enlightening to me. It was particularly interesting to me to hear about Omar's arrival in Jerusalem and his time spent within the city. I would love to explore more deeply how and why Jerusalem came to hold such significance in Christianity and Islam.
I love how this video depicts the geography and set up of the city of Jerusalem. I also think it is interesting how many buildings in Jerusalem are stone and grayish white and the Dome of the Rock is gold accent. It shows the different influence that different religions had on the city.
This was a great video, and I liked that Eliav showed us the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Temple Mount. The part where he talks about Omar's visit to the city of Jerusalem was really awesome, and helped me to better visualize what we learned in lecture about his visit. I love how Eliav really explains the importance of the Temple Mount to Jewish people, and how the night journey of the Prophet Mohammad in Islam came to be associated with such an iconic place, leading to the building of the Dome of the Rock. Overall a very informative video!
It's nice to see Jerusalem as my family is from there. It's like I am right there with Professor Eliav. The Temple Mount has so much historical and religious significance. The video also goes into Caliphe Omar and what he was doing at the Temple Mount, as a Sunni Muslim it's nice to know the history of Omar. Great video to get a better understanding!
This video was very helpful for me in understanding the historical context surrounding the Temple Mount and it's significance in not just Judaism but also Christianity and Islam. It's interesting how large of an effect religion had on the city of Jerusalem, and it was great to learn about it through the Temple Mount.
I enjoyed how Eliav explained at the beginning of the video how Jevus a.k.a. Jerusalem was not a strategic place to settle geographically. This highlights how all of the conflict regarding the city is based purely on ideology rather than geography, which is interesting because many of the conflicts in this region started because of important geographical factors (such as water are fertile soil). This shows the how unique the conflicts over Jerusalem are. The history of how multiple different groups have had connections to Temple Mount over the years explains why so many groups feel attached to it today. This is an important piece in understanding the modern conflict of the land. Eliav does an excellent job explaining how historical events of different religions tie Muslims, Jews and Christians all to Temple Mount. This video shows just how unique of a religious site Temple Mount really is, and why it is so significant in the modern region of Israel/Palestine.
What a beautiful sight! It is remarkable how embedded the Temple Mount is to the city of Jerusalem, and how important the surrounding area is to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Despite the evolution and changes in the area, the Temple Mount has remained an important site for Jews-- the holiest site for them. Understanding the importance of the Temple Mount to Jews, as well as of the Dome of the Rock to Muslims, it becomes clear why conflict erupted at the beginning of the 20th century between Jews and Palestinian Arabs over prayer at the Temple Mount. Yet again, Professor Eliav does an incredible job using archeology as both windows to the past and explanations of the present.
I am amazed by how holy Jerusalem became to billions of people. It went from a lowly city in the out of the way Central Hills with no major trade routes, but became a hub of pilgrimage for Jews, Christians, Muslims. It also became the hub of a boisterous tourist industry. I hope to go there one day and visit the place considered holy and frankly, mysterious and ethereal to people located throughout the world.
I have really only experienced Jerusalem from the Jewish perspective so understanding how it became important to Muslims is very interesting to me. In my experience, I have been told one story with not much attention given to the other. I haven't even been able to enter the Muslim Quarter in the times I have been there. To see sites in the Muslim Quarter and to educate myself on the rich background that another culture has in the same city were eye-opening aspects of this video.
This class has been enlightening to me for that very reason. I think it has helped me empathize more with all sides of this specific conflict, as well as other conflicts in history. Stepping beyond the perspective I was raised in is an important aspect of my academic journey. Thank you for a great class, Professor Eliav.
Following our brief discussion of the First and Second Temples last week in class, I was interested in learning more about their history, so naturally I turned to Eliav's TH-cam channel to gain further insight on the matter. Having attended Jewish day school when I was young, I heard little to none about the significance of Jerusalem for the Christian and Islam faiths, so this video was quite informative. The story of Omar's journey to the Temple Mount and his subsequent declaration of Mohammad's rise to heaven was unbeknownst to me. It's also interesting how despite the Roman's attempts to exclude the Jewish temple from their city, it remains a staple of modern Jewish culture and is arguably the most prominent site in Jerusalem. It is no surprise that Israel, and particularly Jerusalem, is such a hot bed for conflict given its religious significance to so many.
I found this video very interesting and especially educating to me. This video really illuminates the complicated nature of the city of Jerusalem in the sense that it is a holy site to people of many different religions. Thus far, we have learned about the significance of Jerusalem to the Jewish faith, and before taking this class I really only new this context. But, after watching this video, I see why it is holy to people of Muslim and Christian faiths as well. I can really paint a picture as to why there is so much conflict centered around this city, and the history of it is clear now.
It is extremely fascinating how the religious significance of the city of Jerusalem led to the formation of an entire economy. As the center of spirituality in Judaism and Christianity, and one of the three most holy religious cities in Islam, Jerusalem saw a great many pilgrims come to pray and worship at their respective religious sites. An economic ecosystem formed around these religious visitors and created an economy which lasts even to this day. Tourism, in the present, is fundamental to the structure of the economy of Jerusalem. Religious tourism brings great wealth to Jerusalem and has for over 1500 years! It is fascinating to examine the longevity of this economy which arose due to the religious significance of the city. When my family and I traveled through Jerusalem when I was younger, we engaged with this economy. It is cool to think that we were a part of something which had spanned generations upon generations.
This video really helps highlight the importance of Jerusalem in the context of the 3 different religions. I like how Eliav mentions that its not the location or geographical region that give it its importance. He does a great job taking us through the city, in fact, as a Muslim, visiting Jerusalem has been a wish of mine for a as long as I can remember. I was not too informed about Omar's story, but this video was very informative on this topic. Eliav was very detailed in his story telling. I really enjoyed hearing the athan in the background, as it reminded me of home.
I agree completely. It's also an interesting point that it's not the geography that makes the temple mount so important. So much of the class is focused around geography so its cool to see something that holds importance for different reasons. I had the opportunity to go to Israel this spring, but we actually didn't end up going to the temple mount. After watching the video and taking the class, I wish we did.
It is incredible to think about how Jerusalem is an extremely important city with large significance to three different religions. I have always looked to Jerusalem with awe because of this, but until taking Eliav’s class I never thought of how the meaning of Jerusalem to these religions evolved throughout history and how sought after the city was. From being the site where the Jews built their temple and worshipped their god, to being the city that Jesus is said to have lived in and preached in for much of his life, and the place where the prophet Muhammad is said to have ascended into heaven and met god and the prophets, Jerusalem is arguably the most religiously significant city in the world. This video was very insightful in getting more information about the Temple Mount, and about what happened when Omar arrived. It was very interesting to hear about how when he arrived, the city was already thought of being a place where both Jewish and Christian messiahs had lived. With Omar taking over the city and then the Umayyad’s giving a large significance to Temple Mount in Islam later on, it is a story of just one of the many times that Jerusalem took on major religious significance to one of several religions.
Having been to Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulcher before, I found the contents of this video extremely interesting. When I was first there I didn't know very much about the history of Jerusalem or all of the conflict that had taken place in that very spot. After taking Eliav's class, I now understand all that went down and feel I need to go back to get a more full experience. That being said, the video does a fantastic job of illustrating what it was like for Omar to arrive at the city. The video helps explain how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam intersect and further explains the conflict of the region.
I enjoy educational videos that tell a story, Eliav effectively recreates the legend of Omar entering Jerusalem. By walking the route Omar took it was easy to envision the effects the city had on Omar. The video taught me that Omar entering the city was not the most significant aspect of the story, but rather how later religious teachings would interpret the story.
Moving through the city and seeing the actual sites in video format was very helpful in for my mental construction of the events of the Caliph Omar. By walking through the city and seeing where he was granted a greater physical understanding of what occurred here. It was also very interesting to see, in video format at least, how Islam and Islamic features are present in Jerusalem.
I find it interesting how the religious significance of the temple mound and Jerusalem as a whole have shifted so much over the years. It is very fascinating to me that the temple mound has religious significance for both members of Isam and Jews and that as it evolved over time so did the layout of Jerusalem.
Eliav is in my mind the best tour guide in Israel. I have never been to Israel, Jerusalem or even the Temple. But Eliav's video screen was very helpful. Although the picture quality of the video screen is not very high, I found Eliav's explanation very helpful. It all contains Eliav's decades of research and his own understanding. So I really recommend those who have never been to Israel to watch this video first.
Seeing him physically walk through where Paul walked, stand within ancient ruins, or point to historical sites provides such a visual learning experience. So many times I have been stumped by something in class and then watching one of his videos puts it all into perspective.
The Temple Mount had a huge impact on Jerusalem and the Jews. Its cultural significance is important when studying the history of the land and Eliav did a good job explaining it.
It's intriguing to see just how Jerusalem emerged as a prominent religious hub for the three different religions, and to see how the Temple Mount was incorporated into the region throughout the three different reigns. I also find the description of Umar's entrance into the city revealing, as it reflects the tenuous religious dynamics at play and Umar's recognition of such -- he was conscious, for instance, of the city's status of being home to a long tradition of redeemers.
Having visited Jerusalem and been to both the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the outside of the Temple Mount, at the Western Wall. It is extremely interesting to see how the city of Jerusalem and the various sites within it became so important to western society and religion. I thought it was very interesting for Eliav to tell the story of Omar in Jerusalem while showing the modern locations where he was all of those centuries ago.
I didn't realize that the temple Mount came to have significance in the Islamic faith. This video did a good job of explaining the ways in which different religions interacted with the significance of the temple Mount and I enjoyed being able to see the physical construction of both the temple and the church.
I found it particularly interesting to understand the overall concept of how Jerusalem was such an unimportant Canaanite city and that, not because of its geography or resource-filled land, but solely because of religion, is how the area became the popular geographical phenomenon it is today. it is also important to note that such a. decision to leave the temple mount standing was so significant, and these individuals who made that decision don't understand the magnitude of leaving the mount standing.
It is very interesting how 3 of the largest religions all have a very important religious location located in close vicinity to each other. But after this video and lecture, it makes sense why this happened. This video is very informative about how the religious importance of the city led to it becoming a Christian and then an Islamic center.
Very informative video comparing the style of the city to Omar and Omar’s purpose for traveling to the city
Professor Eliav summarizes the Temple Mount and explains the significance of the places, monuments, and cities near it. This video is full of information that is important to understand for this course like the different religions mentioned, the culture, time periods, and leaders that had an effect on the history and geography of the region. In addition, Eliav highlights how Omar’s visit to the site is involved in the Jewish traditions that preceded him.
This was such an interesting video. I love learning more about the history of Jerusalem. I find it very interesting that all three Abrahamic religions have important ties to the same location, though it of course makes more sense after today's class and the viewing of this video. Part of the reasons that Constantine wanted to make Jerusalem an important site for Christianity and now why Muslims built the Dome of the Rock at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem are because it has had such a rich religious history. Eliav did a great job at explaining this new addition to the long history of the Temple Mount and its significance throughout time.
I had heard of the Temple Mount many times before, but this video provides great clarification on the importance behind the site, and did a great job of explaining the setting in a story like fashion. I find the dynamics between this sight along with the religious implications of Judaism and Islam to be extremely important to examine and understand from both a historical perspective, but also to further why the sight is so heavily visited upon in the modern day. I did not realize the Temple Mount held this much significance and was even a place in which mass suicide took place. This was a great video, and very informative!
It is fascinating to see how a city that had no prior religious significance to Islam, now have a huge significance to Muslims, especially, since there was no direct reference to the area from the Surah As-Sakhra. In addition, I liked how Professor Eliav incorporated the modern day sounds of the Temple Mount that we could hear throughout the video. It made me feel like I was actually in the area.
It was interesting to learn about how this area plays a significant role in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. I also really enjoyed the clips of the place because it gave a good feel for the cultural diversity around the Temple Mount.
it’s very interesting to see how the temple mount site shifted purpose as different religion rule over the region. I also think it’s fascinating that the first thing Omar ask when he enters Jerusalem was to see the temple mount and spend the night there, shows how the two religion correlates and shares the same site/area as a very sacred site.
In this video, Eliav took us on a journey through some of the most important sites of Jerusalem, including the Church of the holy Sepulcher and Temple Mount. The explanation of the visit of Caliph Omar to Jerusalem was very interesting and brought a lot of detail to the historical events we discussed in our lectures. The connection of the Prophet Mohammed’s night journey to the iconic Temple Mount helped us understand the religious intersections between Judaism and Islam better. The representation of the significance of the Temple Mount across Judaism, Christianity and Islam showed its lasting historical and religious impact. Like Eliav’s journeys in the Mediterranean, the video helped to link modern Jerusalem to its historical roots and religious importance.
We discussed this in class, but I find it very interesting how Jevus started off as a non-important Canaanite city and then developed into the religious hub of the monotheistic religion. While it is stated that the city was made this way because of all the religiously significant things that happened in it, it is cool to see how the city was seemingly chosen cause of its location and its political importance at the time. It is also interesting to hear how the Temple Mound was once the actual dump of the city, before regaining its religious significance.
It's truly fascinating how, in the narrative of Caliph Omar's arrival in Jerusalem, we enter a realm where history and legend intertwine. The details may vary in the accounts of his inquiries about the Temple of Solomon, his night in the Tower of David, and the events on the Haram, with some aspects veiled in the mystique of legend. What's striking is that, whether rooted in fact or embellished by lore, the outcome remains unchanged. The fact that we may not have a precise account of every detail doesn't diminish the profound impact these events had on the course of history.
This video truly encompasses Jerusalem's transition, moving from an essential city in the region (Israel/Palestine) to a significant religious powerhouse for the main Abrahamic religions. The video expertly expresses why the three major Abrahamic faiths considered the city a holy land, the Jews due to David, the Christians due to Constantine and his mother, and Muslims due to Emperor Omar and his successors having religious-political reasons for titling Jerusalem a holy city. The various political choices that resulted in Jerusalem being dubbed holy by all three religions are a marvel to learn. The video offers a compelling expansion of Omar's time in Jerusalem.
This video does a great job at showing, not only the importance of Jerusalem, but the reasoning behind it. We discussed in my section how religious was a huge importance and reason behind the influence Jerusalem has. It has no major water source, which is typically a reason for a location having such prestige. Water in this case, allows for Jerusalem to be so prominent, rather than it being so prominent strictly due to water. Had Judaism, Christianity, and Islam not been rooted in this city, its importance would have dwindled. Learning about Omar in this video, and the way he entered the city being humble by wearing a cloth and riding a Donkey, was very interesting to me. We discussed how there is a difference between a "Legend" and "History" which offers the question of whether this truly happened in real history or not, but nevertheless it provides interesting context for the history behind it.
It's amazing how the Temple Mount was able to survive thousands of years of history, and multiple transitions in power. As shown in the video, when the Romans restructured Jerusalem, the Temple Mount was left outside the city boundaries and neglected. However, its religious and symbolic significance was recognized by the Islamic forces who took over the city later on, and the Temple Mount was again established as a religious center. I think that the Temple Mount's longevity can be attributed to its importance to religions like Judaism and Islam; believers of these religions will always be dedicated to preserving and maintaining the area. The Herod's masterful architectural accomplishments displayed in the Temple Mount complex also contributes to its magnificence and symbolic importance, further cementing its longevity in history. Its grandeur and beauty makes it the perfect platform to hold religious significance, a fact that was recognized by both the Jews and Muslims.
3. After learning about the demolish/fall of the first temple in 586 BCE, and the rise of the second temple in 538 BCE with the funding of the Persians under King Cyrus' rule, this allowed me to gain more insight on this building and what it people of different religions. it was also really interesting to me that it was known as a city of unimportance, in which this is proved to be contradicted many times later on in history. Lastly, it is informative to see the difference of the importance level of Jerusalem as the Romans ruling the city created this location as unimportant, as we later see this become the holiest place of worship for the Judeans.
It is very interesting to see how the Temple Mount was so influential for three of the major religions in the world. After watching this video and attending Eliav´s class, I am able to understand the political reasons why the leaders of these religions chose this place to be an important place of worship. These decisions taken by King David, Constantine and the Umayyads have had tremendous impact on current events in the region. The main clashing point nowadays is religion, and these leaders are the ones that related the Temple Mount to their specific religious/political agenda.
I find it interesting how over time, the city of Jerusalem became important to the three major Abrahamic religions in different ways. And how those religious connections are still felt very strongly by each to this day. I didn't know that Jerusalem became a major center for Islam later on in history, it's cool to see how the perspective of the city changed overtime. I remember from when I visited Israel with my family being able to see the Dome of the Rock and the Kotel overlooking much of the old city, it truly is beautiful.
I recognized the intro music from Eliavs other videos and Paul in Athens. I enjoyed seeing the layout of modern day Jerusalem, it helps to create a clear picture of where everything is in this important religious city. There seem to be some similarity between the arrival of Omar in Jerusalem, and Paul in Athens, with them both entering humbling not really drawing attention to themselves. They both go and explore the major religious/sacred parts of the respective cities. I was not aware of the story of the foundation stone in Islam and that it was located on the Temple Mount. This explains why Jerusalem an important city to not only Jews and Christians but also Muslims. I am interested to learn more about the rise of Islam in our region.
It is so interesting to see how the space occupied by the Temple Mount evolved through history as different religions rose. It is also fascinating to think what would have been if any of these small events that played significant roles in developing modern religions today had gone differently. For example, if Omar had gone to a land other than Israel, would there be so much fighting today? If the Romans were able to defeat the Muslims, would there be peace in the Middle East?
I thought this video provided incredible insight into the history of Temple Mount, particularly relating to its religious significance. With connections to both Judaism and Islam, the Temple Mount is a unique yet crucial landmark when understanding the overlap and origin of these two religions. I particularly find Caliph Omar’s visit to the temple mount and that period of Islamic infiltration a very interesting time to study and understand because it is the epitome of religious overlap.
Most of the people in my country are Christian, Buddhist, or Catholic and are not very devout. Also, there are no large religious temples around the city. So, not many people talk about their religion and even fewer conflicts about the spiritual stuff. So it was very interesting to see holy people of different faiths living together peacefully because I assumed there would be a lot of conflicts there. Thank you for sharing the lives of people in this detailed city.
I thought it was very interesting to learn about how Jerusalem went from being a mostly unimportant Canaanite city to the political and cultural epicenter it is today, and found it cool to think about how the religious importance of the city was the largest differentiator between Jerusalem and other potential capitals for Israel. Jerusalem was not in a location of particular geographical significance, nor was it found at a key economic juncture. Instead, what made Jerusalem so important was the Temple Mount. From this perspective, which classifies the Temple Mount as the catalyst for Jerusalem's importance, thinking about how the city and Temple Mount evolved as it came under control of different religions becomes even more thought provoking.
It is very interesting to see how Omar used the day existing faith traditions associated with the temple mount to elevate it to become one of the most important spots in Islam. I enjoyed following professor Eliav's analysis of the small events that lead to the most massive movements in history. I was unaware prior to this video of the clearing process of the Temple Mount undertaken by the Umayyads.
This video really highlights how all of the major monotheistic religions cometogether in the city of Jerusalem with each main religion have a major religious site somewhere in the old city. (Jews - western wall, Christians - holy sepulchre, Muslims - temple mt and al aqsa mosque). This video also highlights the importance of this city and how it is important individually for all three of these major religions.
I found it very interesting how this relatively short triangular region in Jerusalem is home to important sites in three of the major religions of the world today. The story of Omar was extremely insightful to me as it gave such a clear telling as to why the Temple Mount and the foundation stone have such importance in Islam today, when the Temple Mount was originally created during the Second Temple Period to honor a cite renowned in Judaism. In such a small area such contrasting religions and religious monuments stand, all of high importance, so I understand why some people today say if WW3 does not start between Russia and Ukraine it would be in Jerusalem. In saying that, I find it ironic that these extremely important religious sites that cause conflict sometimes in Jerusalem were the result of very similar practices of an expanding empire wanting to find a city in the region that could have religious importance imbued within in, like the Byzantines and Islamic Periods showed.
In the past lecture, we learned about the Crusades, a period during which the First and Second Temple are in use simultaneously. At the time, the Crusades converted what is shown as the Temple Mount in this video into Christian buildings which infuriated the Muslim population, causing tensions that still exist today. In this video, Eliav explains the complex role of this region in various religions and the significance that it carries across communities. Given the tensions today, it is so interesting to see how, why and when each of these religions connected to this city which according to Eliav actually had no strategic, geographic or economic significance.
It is really interesting to hear how the Temple Mount has been intertwined with all three religions and played an important role. The fact that it lasted throughout history and had different types of power for different religions is fascinating. I enjoyed this video because I was able to learn that it is the holiest site in Judaism, Christians found it important because it was the site of several events in the life of Jesus, and it is a holy site in Islam. I hope to learn more about this in class.
Eliav does an excellent job at expressing the beauty of the Temple Mount and its rich history. I find it fascinating how the Temple Mount was initially for Judaism, then had additions due to the rise of Christianity and the creation of Islam. It makes me wonder how it must be to live in such a diverse area filled with three very popular religions and whether or not the people live in harmony with such differing beliefs.
Historically speaking, Jerusalem is of great importance to the three major religions. To many, the new temple on the Temple Mount is seen as the Third Temple, a continuation of the first two. This shows how important history is and the ethnic identities that we chose to become a part of - in this aspect, a shared history.
There are a lot of interesting things happening here. We see the theme of geography come up again when discussing the relative unimportance of Jevus. It had no useful physical properties and thus wasn't thought of much in ancient times when those physical properties were of the utmost importance. As society developed and other things than basic physical necessities began to garner attention, we see the city develop its importance - a religious one. It's also really fascinating how closely tied Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are. They're clearly distinct faiths, but they share a lot when it comes to the circumstances and locations of their origins. I've definitely already learned a lot more than I knew about the history of Jerusalem's religious ties.
I am impressed by the Caliph Omar's tactics in entering Jerusalem. It is is not only emblematic of his personal piety but also a politically astute move. He reflects a continuity with the city's past as the site of religious and redemptive history - a place where prophets and messiahs have walked. Additionally, I thought it was interesting how the video was told from the perspective of Legend and not fact. It is interesting to juxtapose this tale with historical facts.
It's quite interesting to see how the layout of Jerusalem is shaped largely by its religious influences, specifically as the city changes ruling powers. Not only this, the 'nucleus' of the city shifting over time as mentioned tells of how even today, the city, despite being in a mostly secular country, is under the influence of a thousand year history of different religious struggles.
It is really interesting to hear about how Jerusalem came to be the city it is today. On paper, it seems like an unlikely choice for being one of the most politically and religiously important cities in the region, yet it was almost by pure happenstance that it ended up this way. Now it is one of the most important cities in all three major Abrahamic religions. This is part of what makes Jerusalem, and thus the ownership of our region, so contentious.
In the past, the religious associations in Jerusalem accompanied the rise and fall of powers. Today, the overlapping of the various religious meanings imposed on the area has created a central point of conflict in the ongoing Israel-Palestine. Whereas in the past, powers were replace one after another, today, we must find a way to have multiple powers coexist together and share a religious center. This is why it is important to understand the history of the city and the temple mount.
One point this video brings up that I find particularly interesting is the fact that Jerusalem is neither in a strategic geographical location nor a “major intersection with economic significance.” Despite this, Jerusalem was a place of contest, due to its religious significance to several groups. This demonstrates the power of religion within the region, people were willing to fight for the area despite its lack of geographical advantages. It was interesting to see some of the history of Jerusalem in the video and the role that Christianity played in Jerusalem’s past.
It has been extremely interesting to see throughout this course how Christianity, Islam, and Judaism each have their own ties to Jerusalem. This video emphasizes the relationship between the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple Mount. It is also extremely interesting to see that each of these religions did not initially have any significant ties to the region, but took actions in history that made this region more significant to their religion. It is extremely important for all people to understand the significance of Jerusalem in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism to understand why the Middle East is so volatile. Each of these religions want a piece of this land because of its historical and religious significance. This video was extremely informational.
To me, the most significant point in this video is Omar's journey to the temple mount. The ultimate consequence of this visit established Jerusalem as the religious center of Islamic world outside of the Arabian peninsula with the establishment of the dome of the rock on the temple mount. This was an important step in the progression of the Islamic empire. With Damascus as the capital, they needed a religious center that was closer to Damascus than Mecca or Medina was, and Jerusalem served that purpose.
I find this class very enlightening on the relationship between the three major religions that claimed dominance in our region. I always thought that these religions were built from the ground up, but we have seen a very different story. There was much more of a borrowing process during the creation of Christianity and Islam. In addition, they took a period of time to solidify and mold into a cohesive set of beliefs, whether that be during the long history of the kingdom of Judah that culminated in the establishment of Yehud or the centuries after Jesus until the 3rd century turmoil in the Roman Empire. I think it would be helpful for the world to know about the complex relationship between Islam and Christianity and how at the beginning, the caliph was very reverent about the holy sites in Jerusalem and granted favor on Christians and Jews as long as they paid their tax. I think this commonality holds hope for the future.
I find it very interesting to hear about how the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have strong ties to the city of Jerusalem. The religious significance of the city to all three religions continues to play a large role in today's events, as it is the center of many tensions over the region. Therefore, looking back and being able to see some of the origins of this religious significance is very applicable and I enjoyed being able to visualize the region itself throughout the video.
I find it really interesting that the Jewish Temple "competed" with the Christian church that Constantinople built. It made me think about the multicultural and war-torn nature of the city, and in particular the way the cities urban environment reflects that. I also really enjoyed hearing about the gates, and the ways in which they were altered based on which civilizations were in control of the city at the time.
Jerusalem is a fascinating city with a rich history that gives us a lot of insight into many periods of history. One of the main reasons for this is the association it has with three major world religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. This city is a key location in all three of these religions, serving as a setting for the origins of many beliefs and ideals. The first religion that established roots in Jerusalem was Judaism, with connections going all the way back to the 10th century BC. This city is so important to Jewish people because it was home to the first and second temple and became known as the “holy city” in the old testament. Today the only remnants of the temple is the Western Wall which is considered the holiest place in Jewish culture. There are also countless other Jewish traditions centered in Jerusalem and it is believed that when the Temple is rebuilt the Messiah will come. Jerusalem is also a central location to Christianity. The city is strongly associated with Jesus as that is where he was crucified and resurrected. It is also where his tomb is located in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, an important site with many chapels and shrines. Apart from Jesus, many new testament biblical events occurred in or were associated with Jerusalem leading to it currently being home to many monuments and holy sites. The last religion centered in Jerusalem is Islam. This was the last of the three to establish itself in the city, with the Al-Aqsa mosque said to be the furthest Muhammad traveled and is known as the nocturnal journey. Although there is debate as to whether this is true or not, it does not change the fact that Jerusalem has become quite significant in Islam. The most important Islam sites in the city today are located on the temple mount. These include the Al-Aqsa mosque as well as the Dome of the Rock, the place where it is believed that Muhammad ascended into heaven. Overall the connection that Jerusalem brings to these three religions is one that is quite fascinating especially considering the differences in their cultures and beliefs.