Difference between revisions of "Jerusalem and the Temple, attempts at restoration"
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| + | After the destruction of the Jewish Temple (70 C.E) and subsequent Jewish Revolt (135 C.E.), Jerusalem passed into the hands of Rome. It's name was changed by the Romans to Aelia Capitolina and Jews were officially forbidden to live there. | ||
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| + | Jerusalem, however, continued to serve as the focal point of Jewish national and spiritual aspirations. The hope of again making Jerusalem the capital of the Jewish Nation and rebuilding the Temple was kept alive among the Jews and Temple sympathizers dispersed in many countries.<ref> The Jewish passion for the Holy City sought expression in the writings of King David: "If I forget you O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember you, Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy." Psalm 137:5-6</ref> | ||
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| + | It is estimated that about six million Jews lived throughout the Roman Empire and another two million lived under the Persian Empire.<ref>Estimated eight million Jews throughout the Mediterranean Basin and Middle East: More than two million live in Judea, with a million each in Egypt, Syria, Asia Minor and Babylonia and throughout the Parthian Empire. Jewish settlements found in Rome, Tarracina, and Puteoli in Italy, with settlements in Tarraco, northern Spain, see [http://www.ben-keshet.com/roman_period.htm Ben Keshet]</ref> The Jews living in the Persian Empire were wealthier and enjoyed a much greater degree of freedom than their co-religionists living in the Roman Empire. At times the Jews in Persia attained semi-autonomy, collecting taxes and managing their own small army. | ||
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| + | Jews accounted for perhaps as much as 10% of the Roman Empire. The Roman government tried to influence its sizeable Jewish population, especially during it’s many wars with Persia<ref>More accurately, the Parthians.</ref>, by rewarding or punishing Jews through it’s policies towards Jerusalem. It was in the interest of Rome to hint at promises of 'restoring Jerusalem' to try and sway its Jewish population from siding with Rome's long time enemy, or to punish them for misbehavior by further desecration of the sacred place.<ref>The Muslim historian Mujir al-Din, reporting when 'Umar reached the old ruined gates of the Temple, he was horrified to see the filth and excrement, “which was then all about the holy sanctuary, had settled on the steps of the gates so that it even came out into the streets in which the gate opened”. He claimed that they called ''Anastasis al-Qumamah'', "the Dungheap," in retaliation for the policy of the Christians on the Temple Mount.</ref> These policies inflamed Jewish nationalism and may have helped to keep it alive. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 15:03, 29 November 2007
After the destruction of the Jewish Temple (70 C.E) and subsequent Jewish Revolt (135 C.E.), Jerusalem passed into the hands of Rome. It's name was changed by the Romans to Aelia Capitolina and Jews were officially forbidden to live there.
Jerusalem, however, continued to serve as the focal point of Jewish national and spiritual aspirations. The hope of again making Jerusalem the capital of the Jewish Nation and rebuilding the Temple was kept alive among the Jews and Temple sympathizers dispersed in many countries.[1]
It is estimated that about six million Jews lived throughout the Roman Empire and another two million lived under the Persian Empire.[2] The Jews living in the Persian Empire were wealthier and enjoyed a much greater degree of freedom than their co-religionists living in the Roman Empire. At times the Jews in Persia attained semi-autonomy, collecting taxes and managing their own small army.
Jews accounted for perhaps as much as 10% of the Roman Empire. The Roman government tried to influence its sizeable Jewish population, especially during it’s many wars with Persia[3], by rewarding or punishing Jews through it’s policies towards Jerusalem. It was in the interest of Rome to hint at promises of 'restoring Jerusalem' to try and sway its Jewish population from siding with Rome's long time enemy, or to punish them for misbehavior by further desecration of the sacred place.[4] These policies inflamed Jewish nationalism and may have helped to keep it alive.
References
- ↑ The Jewish passion for the Holy City sought expression in the writings of King David: "If I forget you O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember you, Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy." Psalm 137:5-6
- ↑ Estimated eight million Jews throughout the Mediterranean Basin and Middle East: More than two million live in Judea, with a million each in Egypt, Syria, Asia Minor and Babylonia and throughout the Parthian Empire. Jewish settlements found in Rome, Tarracina, and Puteoli in Italy, with settlements in Tarraco, northern Spain, see Ben Keshet
- ↑ More accurately, the Parthians.
- ↑ The Muslim historian Mujir al-Din, reporting when 'Umar reached the old ruined gates of the Temple, he was horrified to see the filth and excrement, “which was then all about the holy sanctuary, had settled on the steps of the gates so that it even came out into the streets in which the gate opened”. He claimed that they called Anastasis al-Qumamah, "the Dungheap," in retaliation for the policy of the Christians on the Temple Mount.