This morning, as I was sharing with a friend about my upcoming trip to Israel, he made a joke about something called Jerusalem Syndrome. I had never heard about it before, but a quick Wikipedia search revealed the following. Though surely no laughing matter for those who’ve been afflicted, you can’t deny that it sounds highly entertaining:

“The Jerusalem Syndrome is the name given to a group of mental phenomena involving the presence of either religiously themed obsessive ideas, delusions or other psychosis-like experiences, that are triggered by, or lead to, a visit to the city of Jerusalem. It is not endemic to one single religion or denomination, but has affected Jews and Christians of many different backgrounds.”

Some of the symptoms include:

1. An affected person may believe himself to be an important historical religious figure.

2. A need to be clean and pure: obsession with taking baths and showers; compulsive fingernail and toenail cutting.

3. Preparation, often with the aid of hotel bed-linen, of a long, ankle-length, toga-like gown, which is always white.

4. The need to shout psalms or verses from the Bible, or to loudly sing religious hymns or spirituals.

5. Impromtu delivery of a ‘sermon’ in a holy place. The sermon is usually very confused and based on a plea to humankind to adopt a more wholesome, moral, simple way of life.

COMMENTS

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6 responses to “Jerusalem Syndrome”

1. Christopher says:

   07/10/2008 at 12:53 pm

   that’s hilarious. On a more serious—but no less strange—note, living/being in Jerusalem is amazingly “religious.” I’d use another word, but there’s really no way to describe it. Perhaps its because you have so many people gathered in one place to find/practice religion, but in my 5 months there, I could never shake this monkey-on-the-back feeling of special religiosity that infuses the place. To put it in other words, I didn’t find it to be exactly “normal” from a spiritual standpoint. One’s senses seem heightened a bit when there. I’ll be curious to know if you find it to be the same. I certainly didn’t go there expecting anything, and I was disappointed by all the disputed/supposed holy sites, but the land (ha eretz) was incredible.

   Then again, maybe I just have Jerusalem syndrome!

   Reply
2. John Zahl says:

   07/10/2008 at 3:27 pm

   Hi Christopher, I’m going too, and I am intrigued by what you say. I have no doubt that the trip will prove very eye-opening, and I’m very curious to personally experience the “Holy Land”, especially to see if it seems to be any “holier” than, say, the Westside in Charleston, SC, where I walk my dog each evening. Needless to say, I would describe my mental state going in as both a bit cynical, and also very excited. Will keep you posted, but do you want to elaborate at all upon your experience. I for one what like to hear your thoughts! best, JAZ

   Reply
3. John Zahl says:

   07/10/2008 at 3:30 pm

   Oh, also, for what it’s worth, I used to be in a Bible Study with a guy who ended up, after a very sad series of delusional events, moving to Jerusalem where he finally lit himself on fire, burning to death at the wailing wall.

   … 🙁

   Reply
4. Christopher says:

   07/11/2008 at 7:40 am

   That is incredibly sad.

   I don’t know that I can elaborate any more but to say that one feels God’s presence very distinctly there… at least I did.

   I went over there in a deep crisis of faith, highly cynical and not expecting much. While there I was given a renewed faith in Christ that manifested itself in a vigorous devotional life.

   None of that happened because I was pumped up about seeing historical biblical sites. It was purely God breaking into my life.

   I can’t say I’ve had an experience quite like it before or since, and I’m not prone to talking this way normally.

   I hope it’s as wonderful for you all.

   Shalom,
   Chris

   Reply
5. Bonnie says:

   07/13/2008 at 9:59 am

   i certainly recognize that our trip to israel is going to be a pilgrimage of sorts for me and am really looking forward to it! i just think the “Jerusalem syndrome” sounds hilarious, and sounded just a little more crazy (definitely more OCD/psychosis-like) than what we usually hear as revelatory, spirit-filled experiences. 🙂 (I don’t think the holy spirit has ever prompted me to cut my fingernails and toenails or wear a toga, but I am willing to be proven wrong. haha!)

   Also, John’s comment about the Holy Land made me think about the Holy Land ride/experience in Orlando 🙂

   Reply
6. David Browder says:

   07/14/2008 at 7:30 am

   I’m always up for togas.

   Reply