Seven Species

Seven Species of the Land of Israel

The Seven Species (Hebrew: שבעת המינים‎‎, Shiv'at HaMinim) are seven agricultural products - two grains and five fruits - which are listed in the Hebrew Bible as being special products of the Land of Israel.

The seven species listed are wheat, barley, grape (wine), fig, pomegranates, olive (oil), and date (honey) (Deuteronomy 8:8).[1][2]

History

The Seven Species with Biblical verses associated with them depicted on a set of Israeli stamps issued in 1958

For thousands of years, the Seven Species have played an important role in the food of Jews in Israel and the religious traditions of Judaism.

Many references to these basic foods can be found in Bible. The Mishna states that only first fruits of the Seven Species could be brought to the Temple in Jerusalem as offerings. Wheat fields, vineyards and olive groves are still a salient feature of the Israeli landscape today. Figs, olives, pomegranates and dates are common ingredients in the cuisine of Israel.[3]

Wheat and barley

The ancient Israelites cultivated both wheat and barley. These two grains are mentioned first in the biblical list of the Seven Species of the land of Israel and their importance as food in ancient Israelite cuisine is also seen in the celebration of the barley harvest at the festival of Shavuot and of the wheat harvest at the festival of Sukkot.[4]

Grapes

Grapes were used mainly for the production of wine, although they were also eaten fresh and dried.[5]

Figs

Figs were cultivated throughout the land of Israel and fresh or dried figs were part of the daily diet. A common way of preparing dried figs was to chop them and press them into a cake.[6] Figs are frequently mentioned in the Bible (for example, 1 Samuel 25:18, 1 Samuel 30:12 and 1 Chronicles 12:41).[7]

Pomegranates

Pomegranates were usually eaten fresh, although occasionally they were used to make juice or wine, or sun-dried for use when the fresh fruit was out of season. They probably played a minor part in Israelite cuisine, but were symbolically important, as adornments on the hem of the robe of the high priest and the Temple pillars, and embossed on coinage.[8]

Olives

The olive was a major element in the seven species. Olive oil was used not only for food and for cooking, but also for lighting, sacrificial offerings, ointment, and anointment for priestly or royal office.[9]

Dates

Dates were eaten fresh or dried, but were used mostly boiled into thick, long-lasting syrup called “date honey” (dvash temarim) for use as a sweetener. The honey in the Biblical reference of “a land flowing with milk and honey” (for example, Exodus 3:8) is date honey.[10]

Talmudic Interpretation

The size of various measurements are tied to the specific amounts and sizes of Halachic objects. For example, the minimum width of Tefillin straps is known by Law given to Moses at Sinai to be the size of a grain of barley. Alike, other fruits are used for measuring. Talmud scholars use the verse of Seven Species as a hint for all the measures using fruit sizes.

Modern significance

The seven species are traditionally eaten on Tu Bishvat, the Jewish "New Year for Trees", on Sukkot, the "Festival of Booths", and on Shavuot, the "Festival of Weeks". In halakha (Jewish law), they are considered more important than other fruits, and a special berakhah (blessing) is recited after eating them. Additionally, the blessing prior to eating them precedes those of other food items, except for bread. The seven species are all important ingredients in Israeli cuisine today

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Cooper 1993, pp. 4–9.
  2. ↑ "The Seven Species". Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  3. ↑ Zisling, Yael. "The biblical seven species". Gems in Israel. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  4. ↑ Macdonald 2008, pp. 19–21.
  5. ↑ Marks 2010, p. 237.
  6. ↑ Marks 2010, p. 196.
  7. ↑ Macdonald 2008, pp. 28–31.
  8. ↑ Marks 2010, pp. 479–480.
  9. ↑ Macdonald 2008, pp. 23–24.
  10. ↑ Marks 2010, pp. 153–154.

Sources

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