No time for cooking? We must have Jerusalem syndrome.

That's why you're not getting a recipe this week, but instead, a story… recorded during Easter in Jerusalem, the holy city that can drive people crazy.

Pilgrims and tourists visit to become immersed in the religious experience; but a few have to watch out for the Syndrome. Yes, it’s a thing. Has been for centuries. A temporary mental state where visitors to the ancient city become overwhelmed and start having messianic fantasies, believing they are there to bring about the return of Jesus. Or that they are Jesus. Or King David. Or ... pick your favourite biblical figure. 

Locals aren't immune either. Anyone can become overly affected by the magic of the city, its ancient white stones, and its complex, compelling history.  

The Old City of Jerusalem is holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The holy sites sit side by side in an area one mile square, including the Wailing Wall, built where the Jewish Temple once stood; the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest shrine in Islam and the nearby golden Dome of the Rock, still the visual symbol of this city, 9 centuries after it was completed; and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where it’s believed that Jesus was crucified, and shared by six Christian denominations. That's a lot going on for one small space!

When you talk to God, you’re religious, when God talks to you – you’re crazy. Or are you?

Listen to this radio package to find out…. 

https://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/pg8A63w906?play=true

Am including the audio separately, without the studio intro from the inimitable Ellen Fanning, since some people say they have trouble down-loading it from the Life Matters webpage. 

if you like it, I can post other stories that I do in between cooking!

And also, a shout out to our readers - please send in any Passover recipes you particularly like so we can try them when we get back into the kitchen.