Off The Beaten Track: Glorious trees
Trees play an important role in Jewish thought, writing and religion. From the times of the Bible through today, the tree, respect for the environment and the general greening of the earth, have been important to the Jewish people. Anyone who has stood at any of the borders in the State of Israel can clearly see the delineation of those borders by a "green line." The Zionist mandate to green the state has indeed succeeded. Israel is in fact the only place in the world where the forests are growing and the deserts are shrinking. In large part, this is due to the efforts of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) to collect funds from both Israelis and Diaspora Jews in order to plant trees over the last century and into the twenty-first century as well. This Tu Bishvat weekend, the holiday of the "New Year of the Trees," let us head into the JNF forests, national parks and also the wondrous biblical landscape park of Neot Kedumim. Here, we can truly celebrate both Tu Bishvat and the masterful success of the reforestation of the Land of Israel. This Tu Bishvat I would like to tell the story of one particular tree that is found in this area. Take the Coastal Highway (Route 2) heading north, exit at the Caesaria/Afula ramp and head towards Afula via Route 65. Pass through Wadi Ara and Afula, continuing along Route 65. Between Kibbutz Dovrat and the First Aliyah village, Kfar Tavor (est. 1903) you will see Mt. Tavor on your left as you enter the Lower Galilee. This stretch of road is one of the most beautiful in Israel at this time of year. See if you can spot the almond trees and notice the different types of orchards along this drive. Soon you will pass the Kaduri School; at your next junction, turn left towards Beit Keshet and park by the giant Tabor Oak just past the junction on your left. In 1799, local legend states that Napoleon and his army camped near this tree before the "Battle of Mt. Tabor.Hebrew For Almond Tree - News
Its blossoms appear before its leaves sprout, even before spring has arrived, and before all the other trees display their blossoms anew. Indeed, the almond tree's promptness attests to its industriousness, shakdanut in Hebrew, which is indeed where
What amazes me is how every year at the start of the Hebrew month of Shevat, the almond trees know that it is time to flower - whether the month falls in mid-January or mid-February on the Gregorian calendar. It is one of the most beautiful and magical
This role is played by the almond tree (shaked – Prunus dulcis) well known in Hebrew as shkedia. While most of the surrounding trees are torpid for the winter, the almond tree is ready to mark the New Year for Trees. The almond tree remains bare from
Trees play an important role in Jewish thought, writing and religion. From the times of the Bible through today, the tree, respect for the environment and the general greening of the earth, have been an important to the Jewish people.
The new year for the trees, it is first mentioned in the Mishna, the rabbinic commentary, but did not come to be ritualized and celebrated until the 16 th century by Kabbalists. It coincided with the blossoming of the almond trees in Jerusalem and was
Awaken and Watch! The Blossoming of the Almond Tree « Cindy by ...
Many of us have read the recent posts by Ron Reece, on which, he has calculated the rapture/sudden destruction to be January 28 of this year. And, while, I have always favored a Feast of Trumpets rapture, I find it both interesting and beneficial to at least consider the work of someone, who has spent so many hours in study, thought and prayer in reaching their conclusions. Now, this is interesting because the month of Shevat has everything to do with two words that any watchman would recognize – watching and awakening! For it is during the month of Shevat, that the almond tree first begins to blossom. And, the almond tree is the first tree in Israel to bloom or awaken , while, the other trees are still dormant or sleeping . “The almond tree is the first tree to sprout and the last one to lose its leaves. Its flowers symbolize the cups that crown the seven branches of the Jewish candelabra (Ex. 25:33-36; 37:19-20). In the biblical books, the almond tree is mentioned several times (e.g., Gen. 30:37-39; 43:11; Qo.12.1-5). The prophet, Jeremiah, mentions it in a vision: The word of Yahweh was addressed to me asking, “Jeremiah, what to you see?” “I see a branch of the watchful tree,” I answered. Then Yahweh said, “Well seen! I too watch over My Word to see it fulfilled” Exod 25:31-40 “You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece. And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side. Three bowls shall be made like bowls shall be made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower.