“Holiness, War, and Peace”: Ancient Jewish Traditions Concerning the Landscape and Ecology of Jerusalem and Its Environs in the Second Temple Period

摘要: The Second Temple period is considered both a pinnacle and low point in the history of Jerusalem. One manifestation sharp fluctuations Jerusalem’s status its flora ecology. current study aims to address historical events Talmudic traditions concerning landscape In city’s zenith, Jewish sages introduced special ecological regulations pertaining overall urban landscape. them was prohibition against growing plants within city order prevent undesirable odors or litter thus maintain respectable image. did not apply rose gardens, maybe because reasons, i.e., their contribution aesthetics improving bad crowded city. decline, agricultural crops natural vegetation were destroyed when beleaguered inhabitants defeated by Titus’ army. tradition voices hope for rehabilitation (“shitim”) around Haggadic-Talmudic tries endow Jerusalem with metaphysical uniqueness describing fantastic that allegedly grew it past but disappeared as result destruction.