Book review: 'Jewish, Christian and Islamic Traditions' explores Jerusalem's names

A book review introduces "The Names of Jerusalem: Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Traditions," which delves into the multifaceted identity of the holy city through its nomenclature. The work, authored by Aaron Demsky, Christophe Rico, and Iraj Sheidaee, examines how the names attributed to Jerusalem across different faiths reflect and shape its historical and spiritual significance.

The book analyzes the etymology and historical development of Jerusalem's names in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. It highlights how these names are not mere labels but encode theological claims and collective memory. The authors explore over 4,000 years of the city's history through names such as Salem, Jerusalem, Hierosoluma, Moriah, Zion, Ilia, Medinat Bayt al-Maqdis, and Al-Quds.

Contributors include Aaron Demsky, a professor of Jewish history, Christophe Rico, a professor of Greek philology, and Iraj Sheidaee, a linguist and historian. Their collective expertise allows for a deep dive into the linguistic and historical nuances of Jerusalem's names. The book presents sources in their original languages, including Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Syriac, and Arabic, with English translations, making it accessible to both specialists and general readers interested in Jerusalem's cultural and religious heritage.