Every year, a handful of visitors arrive in Jerusalem expecting to walk in the footsteps of prophets – and end up believing they’ve become one. It’s a phenomenon so strange it has its own name: Jerusalem syndrome, a rare but well-documented condition in which otherwise ordinary people, often with no past experience with psychosis, experience sudden, intense religious delusions while visiting the holy city.
On average, Jerusalem syndrome affects 50 tourists a year, often around major religious holidays. A selection of cases require hospitalization.
As for the afflicted, they behave in a variety of strange ways. Some begin preaching in the streets. Others don makeshift robes and declare themselves biblical figures. A few even attempt to carry out what they believe are divine missions. In most cases, Jerusalem syndrome is resolved when the individual experiencing it leaves the city.
The syndrome was first clinically described in the 1930s by Israeli psychiatrist Heinz Hermann, though likely cases of Jerusalem syndrome have been recorded as far back as the Middle Ages. Documented cases especially ramped up as the millennium approached (many of the afflicted believed the year 2000 held special religious significance).
It’s equal parts fascinating and unsettling, raising an obvious question: what is it about this ancient city that can seemingly push the human mind to such extremes?
Famous Cases of Jerusalem Syndrome
On occasion, Jerusalem syndrome makes headlines – often for the bizarre or even dangerous actions caused by those experiencing it. Here are some of the most famous cases of Jerusalem syndrome in recent years.
1969: An Australian sheepshearer, believing himself to be a messenger of God sent to establish a Jewish temple, sets fire to al-Aksa Mosque in Jerusalem, Islam's third-holiest site. Political riots ensue and extensive damage is caused.
2017: A tourist from Northern Ireland disappears while cycling through the Negev desert in southern Israel. His tent and bicycle were found two months later, as well as a trail of torn out Bible pages and notes referencing Jesus’ 40 day/40 night journey in the desert. Other personal items such as his keys, wallet, and computer tablet followed, but he remains missing to this day.
2023: A 40-year old American tourist smashes and destroys Roman sculptures contained in the Israel Museum, because he believed them to be "idolatrous" and blasphemous toward the Torah.
Did It Just Happen Again?
Speaking of seeing oneself as a divine figure, the concept of Jerusalem syndrome arose again in the news recently after President Trump posted a photo of himself depicted as Jesus Christ:
The president later deleted the image following backlash from religious groups. But it nonetheless sparked conversations about his true intent. Is it possible Trump really does see himself as a divine figure? And if so, could Jerusalem be a factor? Trump last visited the city in October 2025, so (theoretically) he would have recovered from the syndrome at this point – though it hasn't stopped some folks from speculating.
Types of Jerusalem Syndrome
Professional psychiatrists have broken down the Jerusalem syndrome phenomenon down into 3 “types” or categories of people that become afflicted:
- Those with a documented mental illness who specifically travel to Jerusalem because they believe themselves to be important historical religious figures, or who believe they can cause a significant religious event to occur (such as triggering the second coming of Christ).
- Those who have not been yet diagnosed, but visit the city due to their previously held strange or supernatural beliefs about Jerusalem. These beliefs are intensified upon arrival to the city, and they similarly may believe they can bring about important Biblical events.
- Most unsettlingly, those who have no previous history of mental illness nor overly supernatural beliefs about Jerusalem who nevertheless display any of the above behaviors upon arrival to the city.
Other ways in which this strange syndrome can manifest include: obsession over the significance of holy sites, relics, or even the city itself, anxiety, a need to explore the city alone, compulsive purification, preparation (ripping up hotel bed sheets to make togas), and/or removal of all clothing, even spontaneous long-winded preaching to crowds about morals.
Psychiatrists have long debated what exactly it is about the atmosphere of this city that brings about this unique behavior. Can these episodes be chalked up to the circumstances of jet lag or some other travel-related disorientation? Is Jerusalem syndrome the sudden manifestation of past mental illness, exacerbated by the spiritual significance of Jerusalem itself?
Or perhaps there is some greater metaphysical event at play?
What do you think? Is Jerusalem syndrome a divine delusion, or something more?
34 comments
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Harold William Bartlett Radl
The curse of mankind IS mankind. Religion is merely a method of social control - it certainly harms many, though many good people are inspired to do better because of it. The breadth and depth of mental illness is astounding and fascinating and unlikely to be usefully attended to and mitigated by any religion. Universal health care - with mental health care prominently featured - along with free medical education, wealth taxes on billionaires and multi-millionaires, and clear and consistent education on human behavior beginning in kindergarten and continued throughout life would be a good beginning and commitment to assuring what the preamble to the U.S. Constitution promises to do: “… promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…”
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Leslie A. Hulberg Née Tomasura
Someone wanting attention. Because they get attention whenever they do this kind of behavior. It is a deep seated mental disorder that manifests itself into the need for attention, and the type of attention doesn’t matter. Trump always feels the need to be in the spotlight in one way or another. I’m sure if one looks at it from this perspective, you will find the commonality.
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Glenn Byrnes
There was once an episode of The Simpsons that discussed that Syndrome.
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Ari Joseph Bertine
Humans are extremely susceptible to conditioning. Certain things associated with an idea can yave a strong effect on the psyche. Sone are more vulnerable to others, and seek out experieences that will bring them comfort, excitement, or validation. These people are more likely than others to be overwhelmed by an encounter or environment. Other people are very keen on using that effect to control people, and take advantage of it.
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David Wayne Jackson
The incredibly powerful desire to become part of something greater than yourself, to people who have had no opportunity to do so, may push them over the edge when confronted with all the holy places and artifacts of the city
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Rev. Miche'al Yosef Dixon
In Christian College studying as minister in our text book this subject is covered. Same chapter covers it falls in subject with Delusional Christmas and Hypocrisies Easter. Religious people get so hyped up they start believing anything, the scriptures even warn of this trap. This specific "Syndrome" isn't new and not as newly documented as this article suggests. The scriptures alone documented it as far back as Abraham first encounter with "Jebu"/"Salem" the original names of "Jerusalem". Egyptian and Macedonian stone text has older accounts. The site that the city of Mecca sits on is found to be the site where Moses and fleeing Hebrews camped while he was on the, mountain (just north) chilling with YHWH. I'm not above believe in YHWH our Father. Supernatural events but this is just already mental cases influenced by Fallen Angels (Demons) or Evil Spirits (Djinn) (which aren't the same thing).
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Jannetje Eleanore Van Went
The Fact that Psychologists had to get involved to define this says it is already a mental health concern that has effected enough people to be a concern for psychological evaluation across the broader social spectrum.
I am going to say, the study I am currently working on in Plastics take hundreds of years to break down, plastics are known to expel noxious gasses that are poisonous to the living...plastics have been decaying and emitting gasses since plastic was created (when it gets hot plastic emits toxic green gas) and it has maxed its physical capacity to hold those gasses since early 2000...we are experiencing the punishment for creating plastics (and other products that use gas).
The bigger question will we learn to survive it all...and will that be a safe world.
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Ronald A Sherwood
Articles like this are one of the reasons I love receiving information from ULC... I've always thought it would be nice to visit Jerusalem and 'walk where Jesus walked,' but this adds another layer to my curiosity. 🙂
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Harold William Bartlett Radl
In The Varieties of Religious Experience, William James observed: Religious feeling is thus an absolute addition to the Subject's range of life. It gives him a new sphere of power. When the outward battle is lost, and the outer world disowns him, it redeems and vivifies an interior world which otherwise would be an empty waste.
In short, when only 50 people a year - out of 9 billion on the planet - experience this syndrome, one wonders how the others who are feeling isolated and lonely, but don’t have the money to travel to religious sites, are doing. Mental health care remains sinfully inadequate.
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Matthew L. Feinberg
Anyone who thinks President Trump has Jerusalem Syndrone either has TDS and/or no sense of humor.
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Rev. Carol M Anaski-Figurski
Interesting article My ? is is because they fast for long period of time & walk thru the holy pilgrimages. I read the book by rush limball Satanic verses & if gives a good idea what the fasting mind portrays. I read books of the Islamic holy pilgrim & the holiness of the places of their ancestors. the road to mecca draws crowds in the millions & is the number 1 fastest growing religion. It's described as a holy walk. I have read Jewish faith. I am multicultural in religion Dr of divinity. All are welcome in faith. We are all the same when we knee down at the cross no matter what god you worship. Non denomination has its advantages. What you described in this article could be a paranormal phenomenon. More research is need on it. Like the book by Erik Larson no one goes alone. is a ghost story & describes how your mind plays tricks on you. It may not be syndrome or psych. Dont be to quick to judge people. Blest be amen.
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Ridgely Hunt
I find it perplexing that the rules guiding posts suggest that one “be respectful and constructive”, that one “criticize ideas, not people” and that one “avoid insults and derogatory comments”, and yet you feel free to call Trump an “orange maggot”. I think that’s disgusting behavior.
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Steven Ferrell
Exactly
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ServantOfJudgement
They'll call a trump voter a maggot also. It's important that we see that they really aren't the bumper sticker Love Love Love crowd they think they are.
They'll cry Peace!!! as they punch you in the face.
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Sir Lionheart
Most of us MAGA(ts) 🤭 are very nice people, as opposed to those very naughty unruly left wing protesters preventing officers from arresting and detaining illegal immigrants that shouldn't be here, and those attempting to assassinate people they disagree with.
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Sonia Kelleher
There might also be another motivating factor to this syndrome: A desperate person's wanting some justification for their decisions and actions that he/she (subconciously or consciously) know, in their hearts, is immoral. A desperate attempt to cleanse their souls.
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ServantOfJudgement
You might be in the ballpark Sonia. A life of normalcy might be at play too. Wanting to be something more than they are? Maybe?
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Christian
In the Meme image of President Trump, the a.i. cartoon is dressed in the Pope's Robes, healing Jon Stewart's mind from leftist anti-American infections. Recall many 'prophet' style images of HOPE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN President Obama. The pope criticized USA for Standing up to Terrorism, which is unusual, since THE HOLY CRUSADES was the Roman Catholic Church conflicts with middle east leaders. May Jerusalem ALWAYS turn away from sin and return to Praising God for all His wonderful blessings. Thank You Daddy ! You Are a Wonderful Provider and Protector of your children! God Bless President Trump. God Bless Israel. and God Bless America.
We The People, One Nation Under God, in God We Trust!-
Patricia Ann Gross
The "Holy Crusades" was before the Reformation, which was long before Vatican Councils I and II. The two Councils were called in response to the Reformation, and the Roman Catholic Church looks nothing like it did during the Crusades and Reformation, so trying to compare any contemporary Pope (since John XXIII and Paul VI) to the popes back in the 15th-17th Centuries is apples to oranges.
Also the "healing" was Epstein (a pedophile and human trafficer), not Stewart (a comedian), and the meme with the Obamas was blatantly racist. I pray that God will open your eyes and heal you.
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Harold William Bartlett Radl
Thank you. Wel done.
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Rev'd Andrew
I'm genuinely curious as to why you would ask God to "bless Israel" when then ONLY way to the Father is through the Son, and the vast majority of Israelis deny that Jesus is the Son of God. God has spent literal millennia blessing 'Israel' and every time they have disobeyed. In the New Testament God clearly states, through his Son, that being born a Jew and following the Torah is irrelevant: eternal life is ONLY available to those who accept the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins. Jesus was the Ultimate sacrifice. The Temple no longer exists in Jerusalem because God no longer accepts animal (or human) sacrifice for atonement. Israelis want to rebuild the Temple, in direct contravention of God's will. Israel, the state, is an abomination, as are the Jews who reject Jesus as the Way to the Father. God does not 'bless Israel', and Christians should no support the abomination.
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Nicholas J Page
In all my 67 years I have never heard of this and I live in the UK.
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Reverend Paula Copp
Anyone else would’ve been put in a mental hospital if they compared themselves to Jesus Christ! But, apparently, the orange menace can get away with blasphemy without any earthly consequences. The orange maggot is the golden calf to the MAGAts, a false prophet spewing hatred and division. May their karma be just and swift!
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arawngraalrd
I haven't yet seen hisclaim of being Jesus; if he did, I might arrange an introduction. The Donald is one of the few people I Know, who could walk into The White House, and get away with it. What Hatred and Division has he been preching?
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Najah P Tamargo
Najah Tamargo-US
I am a retired Healthcare professional. In mental slang we call it cra cra. The President is a good example.
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Sir Lionheart
The delusions associated with religion is a major problem for mankind, and it’s not just the Jerusalem Syndrome. Recently, the media drew attention to a woman that killed her two beautiful little girls and had the intent to kill herself afterwards, but she failed. She did this under the delusion that she would be in a mythical place called Heaven with her two girls if they all died together. Such is the mental illness associated with religion. She will now, no doubt, be under the delusion she will now go to another mythical place called Hell for killing her girls. Her mind is in obvious turmoil all because of religious indoctrination. It’s so sad. Religions are the curse of mankind, created by mankind.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Sir LH,
What you state here was one isolated incident of a truly delusional individual. NO church even suggests a person commit suicide and family slaughter to enter heaven as a unit. NO teaching could be twisted to even think it were a possibility, rooted in the 10 commandments. If it were, then Christianity would die out quickly with very few reaching adulthood. Think about it before you brush all Christians with this stroke.
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Sir Lionheart
I totally get where you are coming from Patricia, and I’m aware that this person I referenced was very obviously mentally unwell, but I have personally taken help calls from people who had suicide ideation as a result of religion. In fact, my very first two helpline calls were from two young females contemplating suicide. They were both struggling with the thoughts that they might go to a place called “Hell” when they eventually leave this life. This is as a result of religious indoctrination. I personally see all these types of teachings as mental abuse. It seems to me that religions use fear based techniques in the guise of “truth” to keep their believers toeing the line. Religious Trauma Syndrome, (known as RTS within the therapeutic world), is very real and isn't as isolated as many would like to think.
Thank you for your reply.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Sir LH,
I work with a set of clients that meet the description you just mentioned - those who have been wounded by religion. As a pastor, a theologian, coach, and chaplain I abhor the behavior of those churches. Like I've reiterated multiple times on this board, NOT ALL churches or Christians practice their religion that way. A great number of my client base is from the LGBTQIA++ community, and even though you are a "secularist" and possibly cannot relate, I cannot believe in a God that made someone this way only to condemn them to hell. The message of Jesus was different than that, it one of taking care of our fellow humans and the environment that God gave us. The world today is one of that values what we have, not who we are.
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Sir Lionheart
Thank you for helping those that have been wounded by religion. I, along with many others, help those worldwide that are struggling to leave their particular religious indoctrination, no matter what religion has affected them. Those struggling with RTS we refer to seculartherapy.org who basically use known scientific therapeutic techniques such as CBT and DBT which I’m sure you know all about.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Sir LH,
There are also a lot of pastoral counselors for those who do not want to leave their faith behind that would help them grasp a more progressive movement in the religious circles. This includes people who have been "condemned to hell" for something they have done or who they are, but still want to believe in a God who loves them and grants them the grace to move forward without all that fear. Some of the more progressive churches are the United Church of Christ (UCC, and make sure that "United" is in their name, because otherwise it is a different animal), the Christian Church - Disciples of Christ (DOC), Presbyterian (affiliated with the PCUSA, not PCA), the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA), or the Episcopal churches may have resources in your community for licensed (as in, mental health methodologies) pastoral (as in, also able to address spirituality) counselors. For those people, this represents the best of both worlds.
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Sir Lionheart
I’m sure those resources are a great help to those who are not yet looking at leaving their faith based beliefs.
Thanks for that information.
🦁❤️
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Patricia Ann Gross
You're welcome.
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Possibly because we are indoctrinated into religion at very young ages and live in near constant conflict with it ever after.