The City That Moves the Mind
Jerusalem draws visitors from every religion and corner of the world. But for a small number of tourists, arriving in the Holy City can trigger an unexpected response: Jerusalem Syndrome, a condition involving religious obsession, delusions, or even full-blown psychosis, set off by the city’s intense spiritual atmosphere.
The term Jerusalem Syndrome was first defined in the year 2000, when a group of Israeli psychiatrists published a study in the British Journal of Psychiatry. They documented their experience treating 1,200 tourists who had been hospitalized at Kfar Shaul Mental Health Center in Jerusalem due to severe psychological episodes connected to their time in the city. The researchers identified three distinct types of Jerusalem Syndrome:
Pre-existing Mental Illness: This is the most common form. It affects individuals who already suffer from psychiatric disorders prior to arriving in Israel. These individuals often believe they are biblical figures. One American tourist, for example, who had schizophrenia, became convinced he was Samson. He attempted to remove a stone from the Western Wall and was hospitalized following the incident.
Underlying Psychological Instability: This type involves individuals who are emotionally fragile but not clinically diagnosed with a mental illness. Often found among certain Christian denominations, these visitors sometimes come to Jerusalem to await what they believe is the second coming. One example cited is a wealthy German man with obsessive tendencies who came to study Judaism, but suffered a psychotic episode while visiting a local church.
Jerusalem-Induced Psychosis: This is the rarest and most puzzling form of the syndrome. It affects otherwise healthy people with no psychiatric history. These individuals experience a sudden psychotic break while in Jerusalem but recover completely after leaving the country. Only 42 of the 1,200 documented cases fell into this category.
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When Holiness Meets Vulnerability
Jerusalem Syndrome tends to spike during high seasons such as Pesach, and among Christians, during Christmas and Easter. Each year, between 50 and 100 tourists are affected, primarily Evangelical Christians.
Severe cases often require psychiatric hospitalization. Common symptoms include hearing angelic voices, donning bedsheets in the streets, claiming to be the true Messiah, or preaching prophecies in public spaces.
Importantly, Jerusalem itself is not “to blame” for these psychotic breaks. Psychiatrists explain that the condition occurs when individuals with prior mental health vulnerabilities encounter the city’s powerful religious and historical ambiance.
Treatment typically involves sedatives in cases of aggression or hysteria, and patient, nonjudgmental listening in calmer episodes. However, one step in the recovery process is non-negotiable: the patient must leave Jerusalem as soon as possible. Often, the moment they exit the city, or the country, their symptoms subside completely.
Jerusalem Syndrome is a fascinating intersection of faith, identity, and psychology. While rare, it serves as a stark reminder of how powerful the spiritual energy of Jerusalem can be, awakening not only awe and devotion, but for a few, psychological disorientation. As Hashem’s eternal city, Jerusalem continues to stir hearts, elevate souls, and, in some cases, overwhelm fragile minds.
