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Olives and olive trees in Israel and Judaism

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The olive tree and its oil were a major component in the Ancient Israelite society, and have been important to the Jewish people for millennia.[1][2] Olives are often mentioned in Jewish religious texts and are generally seen as a symbol of peace,[3][4] wisdom,[5] and vitality[6]. It had a key role in the agricultural life, industry and religious practices of ancient Israel and Judah.

History[edit]

The olive tree is endemic to Israel and the greater Mediterranean Basin.[7][8][9][10] The cultivation of olive trees has been important to the agricultural life in the Land of Israel since the Neolithic period.[11][12][13] The world's oldest oil press, dating to the Chalcolithic period, was discovered in an underwater excavation near Haifa.[14][15] Pottery containing olive pits, remnants of olives and olive presses discovered on archaeological sites provide evidence of early olive oil production.[16][17][18][19] In the Kingdom of Israel and Judah, industrial villages dedicated to oil production, likely under royal patronage, were established.[20][21][22] These villages housed dozens of presses, exemplified by discoveries at sites such as Khirbet Khadash.[23][24] During the ~8th-7th centuries BCE, the olive oil industry experienced a boom in mass production across the two israelite Kingdoms.[25][26][27][28] Even after the Assyrian conquest of the northern Kingdom, the production of Olive oil continued in Kingdom of Judah.[29] It was then shipped to other vassal states of the Assyrian Empire.[30]

Notable ancient Jewish olive oil production sites:

Olives in general were used as a source of food, light, hygiene and healing.[46][47] Israelite and later Judean populations mostly planted the trees in the Galilee, Judea and Samaria.[48][49][50]

In Judaism, Jewish tradition and culture[edit]

The olive tree is one of the most important trees in Judaism and Jewish culture.[51][52][53][54] They symbolize Jewish rootedness to their historic homeland.[55][56] Olives are a part of the Seven Species[57][58] and were and still are used in the Ancient Israelite and modern Israeli and Jewish cuisine.[59]

The seven species on israeli stamps
The Seven Species with associated Biblical verse depicted on a set of Israeli stamps issued in 1958
  • In the times of the Holy Jewish Temple, olive trees, olive oil, and olives played significant roles in various aspects of religious rituals and practices. Olive oil was crucial for lighting the Menorah inside the Temple. The Menorah was a central fixture in the Temple's sanctuary, symbolizing light and divine presence. Pure olive oil was used to keep the Menorah burning continuously.[60]
  • On Tu BiShvat, the Jewish holiday known as the New Year for Trees, olive trees hold a special significance along with other fruit-bearing trees.[61] Olive trees are among the seven species (shiv'at haminim) that are traditionally associated with the Land of Israel's fertility and abundance.[62][63][64]
  • Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Seleucid Empire. According to Jewish tradition, during the Maccabean Revolt, only a small amount of pure olive oil sufficient for one day's lighting of the Menorah miraculously lasted for eight days until new oil could be prepared. This miracle is celebrated as a symbol of divine intervention and perseverance.[65][66]
  • Following the Great Flood, Noah sent out birds from the ark to check if the waters had receded. First, he sent a raven, but it found no place to rest and returned. Then, he sent a dove, but it also came back. On the 301st day of the flood, Noah sent the dove again.[67] This time, the dove stayed away all day and returned in the evening with an olive leaf in its mouth. Noah then knew that the waters had abated from the earth.[68][69][70]

In modern Israel[edit]

The olive tree is the national tree of Israel.[71][72] It's branches are depicted on the Emblem of the State of Israel and the insignia of the Israel Defence Forces (Incl. The Military Rabbinate).[73]

In Israel, olives are an economically important fruit.[74][75] Within Israel’s olive plantations, some olive trees have stood for centuries. The trees can be found in various regions, from the elevated mountain areas to the coastal plains. The landscape contains ~340,000 dunams (84,000 acres) of olive plantations.[76] These expansive groves are home to a variety of olive types. Among them are the: Zuri, Barnea, Manzanillo, Picual, Muhasan, Nabali, Souri, Kalamata, Picholine, Maalot and Coratina.[77][78]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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External links[edit]

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