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.{{Cite book |last=Mandel |first=Scott |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j5Z2wvyHsPEC&dq=olive+trees+judaism&pg=PA56 |title=Wired Into Judaism: The Internet and Jewish Education |date=2000 |publisher=Behrman House, Inc |isbn=978-0-86705-049-3 }}{{Cite web |last=Halfin |first=Jessica |date=2017-11-22 |title=Rediscovering Israel's ancient olive industry |url=https://www.israel21c.org/rediscovering-israels-ancient-olive-industry/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=ISRAEL21c }} Olives are often mentioned in Jewish religious texts and are generally seen as a symbol of peace,{{Cite web |title=Quotes from the Jewish Bible about Peace |url=https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/quotes-from-the-jewish-bible-about-peace/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=My Jewish Learning }}{{Cite web |last=Tzvi |date=2016-12-18 |title=17 Amazing Facts about Olives |url=https://aish.com/17-amazing-facts-about-olives/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Aish.com }} wisdom,{{cite web |title=The Seven Species |url=http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/species.html |access-date=January 22, 2016 |work=Jewish Virtual Library}} and vitality.{{Cite web |date=2018-03-02 |title=The Symbolism of the Olive Tree in the Jewish Faith - Sponsor an Olive Tree in Israel |url=https://www.myolivetree.com/symbolism-olive-tree-jewish-faith/ |access-date=2024-07-11 }} It had a key role in the agricultural life, industry and religious practices of ancient Israel and Judah.
History
=Prehistory=
The olive tree is endemic to Israel and the greater Mediterranean Basin.{{Cite book |last=Wiesman |first=Zeev |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gM1Bt1Oph10C&dq=olives+israel&pg=PA42 |title=Desert Olive Oil Cultivation: Advanced Bio Technologies |date=2009-06-24 |publisher=Academic Press |isbn=978-0-08-092142-6 }}{{Cite book |last=Garfinkel |first=Eli L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CWQ0EAAAQBAJ&dq=olive+trees+in+judaism&pg=PA141 |title=The JPS Jewish Heritage Torah Commentary |date=June 2021 |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |isbn=978-0-8276-1267-9 }}{{Cite web |title=Olive oil traces dating back 8,000 years found in Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/olive-oil-dating-back-8000-years-found-in-north/ |website=The Times of Israel}}{{Cite web |title=Olive {{!}} University of Redlands |url=https://sites.redlands.edu/trees/species-accounts/Olive/ |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Sites }}{{Cite journal |last=Kaniewski |first=David |last2=Marriner |first2=Nick |last3=Morhange |first3=Christophe |last4=Khater |first4=Carla |last5=Terral |first5=Jean-Frédéric |last6=Besnard |first6=Guillaume |last7=Otto |first7=Thierry |last8=Luce |first8=Frédéric |last9=Couillebault |first9=Quentin |last10=Tsitsou |first10=Labrini |last11=Pourkerman |first11=Majid |last12=Cheddadi |first12=Rachid |date= |title=Climate change threatens olive oil production in the Levant |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36702932 |journal=Nature Plants |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=219–227 |doi=10.1038/s41477-022-01339-z |issn=2055-0278 |pmid=36702932}} The cultivation of olive trees has been important to the agricultural life in the Land of Israel since the Neolithic period.{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-06-16 |title=Israeli researchers discover olive trees were domesticated 7,000 years ago |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/archeology/1655320595-israeli-researchers-discover-olive-trees-were-domesticated-7-000-years-ago |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=I24news }}{{Cite web |title=Study: World's first cultivated fruit trees planted 7000 years ago in jordan valley |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/study-worlds-first-cultivated-fruit-trees-planted-7000-years-ago-in-jordan-valley/ |website=The Times of Israel}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-16 |title=Israeli study shows olive trees were domesticated in Jordan Valley 7,000 years ago |url=https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-709534 |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=The Jerusalem Post }} The world's oldest oil press, dating to the Chalcolithic period, was discovered in an underwater excavation near Haifa.{{Cite web |last=Choufan |first=Matan |date=2022-01-03 |title=A Brief History of Olives and Olive Oil in Israel |url=https://asif.org/he/a-brief-history-of-olives-and-olive-oil-in-israel/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Asif }}{{Cite web |title=Olive Oil from Israel |url=https://saccoimports.com/collections/olive-oil-from-israel/israel |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Sacco Imports }}{{Cite book |last=Angus |first=Julia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F54zAwAAQBAJ&dq=oldest+olive+press&pg=PA269 |title=Olive Odyssey: Searching for the Secrets of the Fruit That Seduced the World |date=2014 |publisher=Greystone Books Ltd |isbn=978-1-55365-514-5 |language=en}} Pottery containing olive pits, remnants of olives and olive presses discovered on archaeological sites provide evidence of early olive oil production.{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Deborah |date=2021-01-15 |title=Olive trees have long history in israel |url=https://www.jewishindependent.ca/olive-trees-have-long-history/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=www.jewishindependent }}{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=William |title=Ancient Israelite Technology |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/Israelite_Technology/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=World History Encyclopedia }}{{Cite web |title=Evidence of olive consumption 6600 years ago found off coast of haifa |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/evidence-of-olive-consumption-6600-years-ago-found-off-coast-of-haifa/ |website=The Times of Israel}}{{Cite journal |last=Eitam |first=David |date=1987-01-01 |title=OLIVE-OIL PRODUCTION IN ISRAEL DURING THE BIBLICAL PERIOD |url=https://www.academia.edu/49840859 |journal=E Olive Oil in Antiquity, Israel and Neighboring Countries, from the Neolithic to the Early Arab Period, Conference University of Haifa, Israel Oil Industry Museum, Dagon Museum}}
=Ancient times=
In the age of The Kingdom of Israel and Judah, industrial villages dedicated to oil production, likely under royal patronage, were established.{{Cite web |title=Stone Tools in the Ancient Near East and Egypt |url=https://www.archaeopress.com/Archaeopress/DMS/6CE44FF5F7EB46BA916F0EF0E128C881/9781789690606-sample.pdf |website=Archaeopress}}{{Cite book |last=Roberts |first=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vhs2_vi4Yc0C&q=Khirbet+Khadash |title=HSC Ancient History |date=2006 |publisher=Pascal Press |isbn=978-1-74125-178-4 }}{{Cite web |title=Hudas Beit Aryeh a Royal Olive Oil Production Center in the Kingdom of Israel |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358816421 |website=www.researchgate.net}} These villages housed dozens of presses, exemplified by discoveries at sites such as Khirbet Khadash.{{Cite book |last=Jaruzelska |first=Izabela |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RZrZAAAAMAAJ |title=Amos and the Officialdom in the Kingdom of Israel: The Socio-economic Position of the Officials in the Light of the Biblical, the Epigraphic and Archaeological Evidence |date=1998 |publisher=Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu |isbn=978-83-232-0910-2 }}{{Cite book |last1=Squitieri |first1=Andrea |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KRUSEAAAQBAJ&q=Khirbet+Khadash |title=Stone Tools in the Ancient Near East and Egypt: Ground stone tools, rock-cut installations and stone vessels from Prehistory to Late Antiquity |last2=Eitam |first2=David |date=2019-01-31 |publisher=Archaeopress Publishing Ltd |isbn=978-1-78969-061-3 }} During the 8th century BCE, the olive oil industry experienced a boom in mass production across the two Israelite Kingdoms.{{Cite journal |last1=Maeir |first1=Aren M. |last2=Welch |first2=Eric L. |last3=Eniukhina |first3=Maria |date=2021-04-03 |title=A Note on Olive Oil Production in Iron Age Philistia: Pressing the consensus |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00310328.2020.1852795 |journal=Palestine Exploration Quarterly |volume=153 |issue=2 |pages=129–144 |doi=10.1080/00310328.2020.1852795 |issn=0031-0328}}{{Cite book |last1=Lipschits |first1=Oded |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R65fhpcUFcgC&q=olive+oil+production+ancient+israel+and+judah |title=Judah and the Judeans in the Neo-Babylonian Period |last2=Blenkinsopp |first2=Joseph |date=2003 |publisher=Eisenbrauns |isbn=978-1-57506-073-6 }}{{Citation |last=Eitam |first=David |title=Textile and olive oil production in ancient Israel during the Iron Age period |date=2002 |work=Pigments et colorants de l’Antiquité et du Moyen Âge : Teinture, peinture, enluminure, études historiques et physico-chimiques |pages=283–290 |editor-last=Institut de recherche et d'histoire des textes |url=https://books.openedition.org/editionscnrs/8184 |access-date=2024-07-10 |series=Colloques Internationaux du CNRS |place=Paris |publisher=CNRS Éditions |isbn=978-2-271-09089-8 |editor2-last=Centre de recherche sur les collections |editor3-last=Équipe Étude des pigments |editor3-first=histoire et archéologie}} Even after the Assyrian conquest of the northern Kingdom, the production of Olive oil continued in Kingdom of Judah.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-21 |title=Even after Assyria won, Judeans produced olive oil in biblical Shephelah |url=https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/even-after-assyria-won-judeans-produced-olive-oil-in-biblical-shephelah-677217 |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com }} It was then shipped to other vassal states of the Assyrian Empire.{{Cite book |last1=Finkelstein |first1=Israel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IyEP0s3xO4oC&q=beersheba+olive+oil |title=David and Solomon: In Search of the Bible's Sacred Kings and the Roots of the Western Tradition |last2=Silberman |first2=Neil Asher |date=2007-04-03 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4165-5688-6 }} Olives in general were used as a source of food, light, hygiene and healing.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-28 |title=Israeli olive oil from Biblical times to today |url=https://holylandoil.com/blogs/news/israeli-olive-oil-from-biblical-time-to-today |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=HoliveOil}}{{Cite web |title=Household food storage in Ancient Israel and Judah |url=https://www.archaeopress.com/Archaeopress/DMS/AFDE45043456487CAD65AC3AC7605ABD/9781784919801-sample.pdf |website=Archaeopress}} Israelite and later Judean populations mostly planted the trees in the Galilee, Judea and Samaria.{{Cite web |last=Eitam |first=David |title=Olive Culture in Ancient Israel |url=https://www.gemsinisrael.com/the-gems/the-olive-culture-of-the-holy-land/olive-culture-in-ancient-israel/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=www.gemsinisrael.com}}{{Cite web |last=Eitam |first=David |date=January 1996 |title=Olive Oil in Antiquity Israel and Neighboring Countries from the Neolthic to the Early Arab Period |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281274856 |website= |via=www.researchgate.net}}{{Cite book |last=Barstad |first=Hans M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zqJxkKy-cMMC&q=olive+oil+production+ancient+israel+and+judah |title=History and the Hebrew Bible: Studies in Ancient Israelite and Ancient Near Eastern Historiography |date=2008 |publisher=Mohr Siebeck |isbn=978-3-16-149809-1}}{{cite book |last=Singer |first=Isidore |url=https://archive.org/details/the-jewish-encyclopedia-vol.-9/ |title=The Jewish Encyclopedia |date=1912 |publisher=Funk and Wagnalls Company |isbn=0366645595 |volume=9 |page=394}}
=Under foreign rule=
Olives remained a key product for Jews in Israel, despite the land changing control under various powers.{{Cite book |last=Goodman |first=Martin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YVI2a9jc4pMC&q=Jewish+olive+production+under+roman+rule |title=Judaism in the Roman World: Collected Essays |date=2007 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-15309-7 |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Dubnow |first=Simon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LLCXomFNU3cC&q=Jewish+olive+production+under+roman+rule |title=History of the Jews: From the Roman Empire to the early medieval period |date=1967 |publisher=Associated University Presse |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Gilbert |first=Martin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y-0aDAAAQBAJ&q=Jewish+olive+production+under+roman+rule |title=The Story of the Jewish People: Letters to Auntie Fori |date=2014-06-05 |publisher=Rosetta Books |isbn=978-0-7953-3735-2 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Olives and Olive Oil in Ancient Rome {{!}} UNRV Roman History |url=https://www.unrv.com/economy/olives-and-olive-oil.php |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=www.unrv.com}}
=Early modern history=
Following the First Aliyah, Jewish olim began planting a number of plants, including Olive trees.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=htsoAQAAMAAJ&q=jewish+national+fund+olive+trees |title=AFZ: Allgemeine Forst Zeitschrift für Waldwirtschaft und Umweltvorsorge |date=1989 |publisher=BLV Verlagsgesellschaft |language=}}{{Cite book |last=le-Yiśraʼel |first=Ḳeren ḳayemet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cNRErXMxTosC&q=jewish+national+fund+olive+trees |title=Report of the Head Office of the Jewish National Fund to the Annual Conference of the Zionist World Organization, London, July 1920 |date=1920 |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Shilony |first=Zvi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kqBtAAAAMAAJ&q=olive+plantation+first+aliyah |title=Ideology and Settlement: The Jewish National Fund, 1897-1914 |date=1998 |publisher=Magnes Press, Hebrew University |isbn=978-965-223-989-1 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Fig - Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael - KKL-JNF |url=https://www.kkl-jnf.org/tourism-and-recreation/touring-holy-land/trees/fig/ |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=https |language=en}} Olive oil was sold in markets and exported{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Canadian_Jewish_Chronicle.html?hl=de&id=sQBPAAAAIBAJ#v=onepage&q=Jewish%20olive%20oil%20palestine&f=false |title=The Canadian Jewish Chronicle |publisher=The Canadian Jewish Chronicle |language=en}}{{Cite book |last1=Skolnik |first1=Fred |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JD0OAQAAMAAJ&q=first+aliyah+olive+oil+plantations |title=Encyclopaedia Judaica: Nat-Per |last2=Berenbaum |first2=Michael |date=2007 |publisher=Macmillan Reference USA |isbn=978-0-02-865928-2 |language=en}} Olive oil was the most common oil used by the Jewish community. With the foundation of a modern industrial oil factory that produced distilled oils from various grains, such as soy, sunflower, and corn, olive oil experienced a decline.{{cite report |url=https://asif.org/en/the-jewish-kitchen-of-jerusalem-in-modern-history/ |title=The Jewish Kitchen of Jerusalem in Modern History |last=Holland |first=Shmil |date=9 December 2021 |publisher=Asif: Culinary Institute of Israel}}
=Revival=
Over the 20th century, the Jewish population established numerous olive plantations. The Kibbutz movements played a significant role in fostering the cultivation of olives.{{Citation |last=Ben-Arieh |first=Yehoshua |title=The Making of Eretz Israel in the Modern Era |chapter=Chapter 5. The period of the First Aliyah, 1882–1904 |date=2020-03-09 |pages=213–268 |chapter-url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110626407-005/pdf?licenseType=restricted |access-date=2024-07-21 |publisher=De Gruyter Oldenbourg |language=en |doi=10.1515/9783110626407-005 |isbn=978-3-11-062640-7}}{{Cite web |title=Olive |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/olive |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org}}{{Cite web |date=2024-09-23 |title=Makura: A Journey into Israel's Finest Extra Virgin Olive Oils |url=https://www.stefanandsons.com/makura-a-journey-into-israels-finest-extra-virgin-olive-oils/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Stefan & Sons |language=en-US}}
At the turn of the 3rd Millennium, Israel saw an increase in olive oil consumption. Israel's Ministry of Agriculture promotes and supports the production of olives for olive oil pressing and local usage.{{Cite web |title=Olive |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/olive |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org}}{{Cite web |last=israelagri |date=2024-08-20 |title=Direct Support for Olive Tree Growers Amounting to NIS 40 Million in 2024 |url=https://israelagri.com/strengthening-israels-olive-oil-industry-amid-global-challenges/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Israel Agricultural Technology & innovations Hub |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Olive oil: the miracle ingredient |url=https://www.thejc.com/lets-eat/olive-oil-the-miracle-ingredient-joytmf41 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=www.thejc.com |date=11 December 2008 |language=en}} Today, Israel is one of few countries known for producing the highest quality of olive oil.{{Cite web |last=Cindy |date=2021-12-14 |title=Olive Oil {{!}} Center of Israeli Culture |url=https://signaturetouchtours.com/olive-oil-center-of-israeli-culture/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Signature Touch Tours, Inc. |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=World Olive Oil Ranking{{!}} Israel |url=https://oliveoilranking.org/country-stats/israel |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=oliveoilranking.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-16 |title=Quest for Quality Behind an Israeli Producer's Award-Winning Results |url=https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/production/quest-for-quality-behind-an-israeli-producers-award-winning-results/108564 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Olive Oil Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-11 |title=Israeli Producers Celebrate Record Year at World Competition |url=https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/production/israeli-producers-celebrate-record-year-at-world-competition-2/110683 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Olive Oil Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-05 |title=Israeli Olive Oil: Why It's Considered Liquid Gold |url=https://theisraelstore.com/blogs/news/israeli-olive-oil-why-it-s-considered-liquid-gold#:~:text=Today,%20Israel%20produces%20some%20of,oils%20routinely%20dominate%20international%20competitions. |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=The Israel Store |language=en}}
=Ancient jewish olive production sites=
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
- Arad{{Cite book |last=Barton |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n3P8Fm8KtJEC&dq=Arad+olive+oil+production&pg=PT404 |title=The Biblical World |date=2019-04-25 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-27219-8 }}
- Beersheva{{Cite book |last1=Matthews |first1=Victor H. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gkULWWmTgT8C&dq=Beersheba+ancient+olive+oil&pg=PA67 |title=The Old Testament: Text and Context |last2=Moyer |first2=James C. |date=2012-03-01 |publisher=Baker Books |isbn=978-1-4412-3626-5 }}
- Beit Aryeh{{Cite book |last=Faust |first=Avraham |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SjULEAAAQBAJ&q=beit+aryeh+olive+oil |title=The Archaeology of Israelite Society in Iron Age II |date=2012-05-25 |publisher=Penn State Press |isbn=978-1-57506-673-8 }}
- Bethel{{Cite book |last=Curtis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oWtPEAAAQBAJ&q=Bethel+olive+oil+production |title=Ancient Food Technology |date=2021-11-15 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-47503-8 }}
- Gamla{{Cite book |last=Spigel |first=Chad S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2I37jAVg8PsC&q=Gamla+olive+oil |title=Ancient Synagogue Seating Capacities: Methodology, Analysis and Limits |date=2012 |publisher=Mohr Siebeck |isbn=978-3-16-151879-9 }}
- Gezer{{Cite book |last=King |first=Philip J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7xZ-HUcAEP8C&q=Bethel+olive+oil+production |title=Jeremiah: An Archaeological Companion |date=1993-04-15 |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |isbn=978-0-664-22443-1 }}
- Golan{{Cite book |last1=Nicholson |first1=Paul T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vj7A9jJrZP0C&q=golan+heights+olive+oil+ancient |title=Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology |last2=Shaw |first2=Ian |date=2000-03-23 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-45257-1 }}
- Jericho{{Cite book |last1=Zohary |first1=Daniel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1hHSYoqY-AwC&q=Jericho+oil+production+ancient |title=Domestication of Plants in the Old World The Origin and Spread of Domesticated Plants in Southwest Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean Basin |last2=Hopf |first2=Maria |last3=Weiss |first3=Ehud |date=March 2012 |publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-954906-1 }}
- Jerusalem{{Cite book |last=Bloch |first=Nava |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T1iV4jiS2sgC |title=Israel on a Budget |date=1989 |publisher=Israel Tourist Guides Publication |isbn=978-965-222-163-6 }}
- Kfar Samir{{Cite book |last1=Bailey |first1=Geoff |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0k3cDwAAQBAJ&q=Kfar+Samir+olive&pg=PA478 |title=The Archaeology of Europe's Drowned Landscapes |last2=Galanidou |first2=Nena |last3=Peeters |first3=Hans |last4=Jöns |first4=Hauke |last5=Mennenga |first5=Moritz |date=2020-04-09 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-030-37367-2 |language=en}}
- Khirbet Kadash{{Cite web |title=David Eitam - Academia.edu |url=https://independent.academia.edu/DavidEitam/CurriculumVitae |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=independent.academia.edu}}
- Kla{{Cite book |last1=Heltzer |first1=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f2EVAQAAMAAJ |title=Olive Oil in Antiquity: Israel and Neighboring Countries from Neolith to Early Arab Period : Conference 1987, Haifa |last2=Eitam |first2=David |date=1987 |publisher=University of Haifa }}
- Lachish{{Cite book |last=Levy |first=Thomas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TqRIlVBRv34C&dq=Lachish+olive+oil+production&pg=PA265 |title=Arch Of Society |date=1995-01-01 |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=978-0-7185-1388-7 }}
- Mizpah{{Cite book |last=Barstad |first=Hans M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zqJxkKy-cMMC&q=Tel+e+Nasbeh+oil |title=History and the Hebrew Bible: Studies in Ancient Israelite and Ancient Near Eastern Historiography |date=2008 |publisher=Mohr Siebeck |isbn=978-3-16-149809-1 }}
- Modi'in{{Cite web |title=Ancient olive oil press unearthed in modi'in |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ancient-olive-oil-press-unearthed-in-modiin/ |website=TIMES OF ISRAEL}}
- Mount Ephraim{{Cite book |last=LIGHTFOOT (D.D.) |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EUUzR5VmHU8C&dq=Mount+Ephraim+olive+oil&pg=PA45 |title=Horæ Hebraicæ et Talmudicæ: Hebrew and Talmudical exercitations upon the Gospels, the Acts, some Chapters of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, and the First Epistle to the Corinthians. A new edition by the Rev. R. Gandell |date=1859 |language=en}}
- Qusbiyye{{Cite book |last1=Urman |first1=Dan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HQyxvmYV-50C&dq=oldest+olive+press&pg=PA485 |title=Ancient Synagogues: Historical Analysis and Archaeological Discovery |last2=Flesher |first2=Paul Virgil McCracken |date=1998-01-01 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-11254-4 |language=en}}
- Shechem{{Cite book |last=Schloen |first=J. David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tt6mDwAAQBAJ&q=shechem+oil+press |title=The House of the Father As Fact and Symbol: Patrimonialism in Ugarit and the Ancient Near East |date=2018-07-17 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-36984-9 }}
- Shephelah{{Cite book |last1=Finkelstein |first1=Israel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jpbngoKHg8gC&dq=beersheba+olive+oil&pg=PA153 |title=The Quest for the Historical Israel: Debating Archaeology and the History of Early Israel |last2=Mazar |first2=Amihay |last3=Colloquium |first3=International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism |date=2007-10-24 |publisher=Society of Biblical Lit |isbn=978-1-58983-277-0 }}
- Shiqmona{{Cite journal |last=Faust |first=Avraham |title=Faust, A., 2011, The Interests of the Assyrian Empire in the West: Olive Oil Production as a Test-Case, Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient 54: 62-86 |url=https://www.academia.edu/6256063 |journal=Academia.edu}}
- Shomron{{Cite book |last=Lewensohn |first=Avraham |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hGcKAQAAIAAJ&q=Shomron+olive+oil |title=Israel Tourguide |date=1979 |publisher=Tourguide Limited |language=en}}
- Tel Batash{{Cite book |last=Altmann |first=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YXRK6erFHu8C&q=tel+batash+olive+oil |title=Festive Meals in Ancient Israel: Deuteronomy's Identity Politics in Their Ancient Near Eastern Context |date=2011-07-28 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-025537-9 }}
- Tell Beit Mirsim{{Cite book |last1=Bunimovitz |first1=Shlomo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nNYNEAAAQBAJ&dq=Tell+Beit+Mirsim+olive+oil&pg=PA465 |title=Tel Beth-Shemesh: A Border Community in Judah: Renewed Excavations 1990–2000: The Iron Age |last2=Lederman |first2=Tzvi |date=2016-05-09 |publisher=Penn State Press |isbn=978-1-57506-453-6 }}
- Tel Beit Shemesh{{Cite book |last1=Boda |first1=Mark J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wSTsEAAAQBAJ&q=beth+shemesh+olive+oil |title=Crossing Borders between the Domestic and the Wild: Space, Fauna, and Flora |last2=Rom-Shiloni |first2=Dalit |date=2024-01-25 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-0-567-69636-6 }}
- Tell Hadar{{Cite web |date=2024-05-28 |title=The oldest olive press ever found |url=https://holylandoil.com/blogs/news/the-oldest-olive-press-ever-found |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=HoliveOil |language=en}}
- Tirzah{{Cite book |last=Laughlin |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tAODAgAAQBAJ&q=Tirzah+oil&pg=PR6 |title=Fifty Major Cities of the Bible |date=2007-05-07 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-59532-7 |language=en}}
{{div col end}}
In Judaism, Jewish tradition and culture
File:שבעת המינים.jpg listed in {{Bibleverse||Deuteronomy|8:8|HE}}.]]
The olive tree is one of the most important trees in Judaism and Jewish culture.{{Cite web |title=10 Historic Trees in the Torah |url=https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4640959/jewish/10-Historic-Trees-in-the-Torah.htm |website=Chabad.org}}{{Cite book |last=Wilson |first=Marvin R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RPyAG2cduiAC&q=olive+tree+important+tree+Judaism |title=Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith |date=1989 |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |isbn=978-0-8028-0423-5 }}{{Cite web |title=Olive Tree {{!}} My Tree in Israel |url=https://www.mytree.org.il/your-tree#:~:text=land%20of%20Israel.-,History,Israel%20over%206000%20years%20ago. |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=www.mytree.org.il}}{{Cite web |last=Antica |first=Cagliari |date=30 September 2015 |title=The olive tree symbol of Judaism. |url=https://menorahnews.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-olive-tree-symbol-of-judaism.html |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=THE MENORAH NEWS}}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lNcVAAAAYAAJ&q=Anointing+Oil%3A+Olive+oil+was+used+to+anoint+kings%2C+priests%2C+and+prophets+in+ancient+Israel. |title=The Guardian |date=1878 |publisher=H. Harbaugh }} They symbolize Jewish connection to their historic homeland.{{Cite web |title=Olive Tree |url=https://www.mytree.org.il/your-tree#:~:text=land%20of%20Israel.-,History,Israel%20over%206000%20years%20ago. |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=My Tree in Israel}}{{Cite web |last=Dodson |first=Bob |date=2010-06-04 |title=The Olive Tree: Our Jewish Roots |url=https://acts242study.com/the-olive-tree-our-jewish-roots/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Acts 242 Study }}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aIYSAAAAIAAJ&q=olive+tree+jewish+roots+to+their+historic+homeland |title=New Outlook |date=1959 |publisher=Hashkafah Hadashah |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Wine |first=Sherwin T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X0kKAQAAMAAJ&q=olive+tree+jewish+roots+to+their+historic+homeland |title=Celebration: A Ceremonial and Philosophic Guide for Humanists and Humanistic Jews |date=1988 |publisher=Prometheus Books |isbn=978-0-87975-495-2 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Olive {{!}} Jewish National Fund of Canada {{!}} About the Olive TreeThe olive tree, perhaps one of the most symbolic in Israel, represents blessings, health and rootedness. An olive bran |url=https://jnf.ca/products.asp?id=9 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=jnf.ca |language=en}} Olives are a part of the Seven Species.{{Cite book |last=Eisenberg |first=Ronald L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_qGHi_9K154C&dq=seven+species+judaism&pg=PA667 |title=Jewish Traditions: A JPS Guide |date=2010-01-01 |publisher=Jewish Publication Society |isbn=978-0-8276-1039-2 }}{{Cite book |last=Eisenberg |first=Ronald L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EtJD6qvyPyoC&dq=seven+species+judaism&pg=PA364 |title=Dictionary of Jewish Terms: A Guide to the Language of Judaism |date=2011-12-01 |publisher=Taylor Trade Publications |isbn=978-1-58979-729-1 }} They were part of the diet of the Ancient Israelites, and are still used in modern Israeli and Jewish cuisines.{{Cite web |title=The Seven Species |url=https://www.bridgesforpeace.com/letter/the-seven-species/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Bridges for Peace }}
- 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.{{Cite book |last=Scharfstein |first=Sol |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vCfrt1cP_mkC&dq=olives+first+aliyah&pg=PA322 |title=Torah and Commentary: The Five Books of Moses : Translation, Rabbinic and Contemporary Commentary |date=2008 |publisher=KTAV Publishing House, Inc. |isbn=978-1-60280-020-5 |language=en}} Olive oil was crucial for lighting the Menorah inside the Temple. The Menorah was a central fixture in the Temple's sanctuary. Pure olive oil was used to keep the Menorah burning continuously.{{Cite web |title=The Olive Oil Paradigm: Tetzaveh - Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue |url=https://www.betalef.org/2020/03/04/the-olive-oil-of-paradigm-tetzaveh/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=www.betalef.org }}
- 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.{{Cite web |title=Tu B'Shevat |url=https://www.mandelljcc.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Tu_BShevat_in_Israel&category=JewishLifeLearning |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=www.mandelljcc.org}} Olive trees are among the seven species (shiv'at haminim) that are traditionally associated with the Land of Israel's fertility and abundance.{{Cite web |last=JosephineA |date=2023-02-02 |title=The olive tree in holidays and festivals |url=https://www.israelreport.org/en/the-olive-tree-in-holidays-and-festivals/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Israel Report }}{{Cite web |title=Tu Bishvat: The Trees of Israel |url=https://www.immanuel-tours.com/blog/tu-bishvat-the-trees-of-israel/ |website=Immanuel-tours.com|date=25 January 2024 }}{{Cite journal |last=Goor |first=Asaph |date=1965 |title=The History of the Fig in the Holy Land from Ancient Times to the Present Day |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4252586 |journal=Economic Botany |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=124–135 |doi=10.1007/BF02862824 |jstor=4252586 |bibcode=1965EcBot..19..124G |issn=0013-0001}}
- 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.{{Cite book |last=Bank |first=Richard D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5eLtDQAAQBAJ&dq=Mount+Ephraim+olive+oil&pg=PT212 |title=The Everything Jewish History and Heritage Book: From Abraham to Zionism, all you need to understand the key events, people, and places |date=2011-12-15 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-60550-528-2 |language=en}} This miracle is celebrated as a symbol of divine intervention and perseverance.{{Cite web |title=Olives -- the fruit of light and metaphor |url=http://jewcology.org/2011/12/olives-the-fruit-of-light-and-metaphor/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Jewcology }}{{Cite web |title=Hanukkah: A Celebration of New Oil |url=https://www.aboutoliveoil.org/hanukkah-celebration-new-olive-oil |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=www.aboutoliveoil.org }}
- 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.{{Cite web |title=Olives {{!}} Encyclopedia.com |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/olives |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=www.encyclopedia.com}} On the 301st day of the flood, Noah sent the dove again.{{Cite web |title=Israeli Symbols |url=https://www.hebrewlessonsonline.com/pedia/hpisraelisymbols.html |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=www.hebrewlessonsonline.com}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Shurpin |first=Yehuda |title=Why Is the Olive Branch a Symbol of Peace |url=https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3807806/jewish/Why-Is-the-Olive-Branch-a-Symbol-of-Peace.htm |website=www.chabad.org}}{{Cite web |last=Reich |first=Rabbi Naftali |date=2020-10-21 |title=The Sign of the Olive |url=https://torah.org/torah-portion/legacy-5767-noach/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Torah.org }}{{Cite web |last=Strongin |first=Ronni |date=2019-04-01 |title=Israel and the Olive Tree |url=https://americansforbgu.org/israel-and-the-olive-tree/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=A4BGU }}
- Anointing Oil: Olive oil was used to anoint kings, priests, and prophets in ancient Israel. The anointing oil, known as "shemen hamishchah," symbolized sanctity and was a critical element in various rituals.{{Cite book |last=Hill |first=William (Winkie) Pratney, Tamara S. Winslow, Steve |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=El18bhzQs2EC&q=Anointing+Oil%3A+Olive+oil+was+used+to+anoint+kings%2C+priests%2C+and+prophets+in+ancient+Israel. |title=The Revival Study Bible |date=2010-08-12 |publisher=Armour Publishing Pte Ltd |isbn=978-981-4270-11-3 }}
In modern Israel
The olive tree is the national tree of the state of Israel.{{cite news | url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/olive-voted-as-national-tree-to-mark-tu-bishvat/ | title=Olive voted as national tree to mark Tu Bishvat | website= Times of Israel | date=28 January 2021 }}{{Cite web |title=The National Tree of Israel |url=https://www.kkl-jnf.org/forestry-and-ecology/tress-in-kkl-jnf-forests/the-national-tree-of-israel/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael }}{{Cite book |last=Kopka |first=Deborah |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aInxCgAAQBAJ&dq=olive+tree+israel+national+tree&pg=PA77 |title=Welcome to Israel: Passport to the Middle East |date=2011-09-01 |publisher=Milliken Publishing Company |isbn=978-0-7877-2781-9 }}{{Cite web |last=Leichman |first=Abigail Klein |date=2013-03-13 |title=The top 10 most amazing trees in Israel |url=https://www.israel21c.org/the-top-10-most-amazing-trees-in-israel/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=ISRAEL21c |language=en-US}} Its branches are depicted on the Emblem of the State of Israel and the insignia of the Israel Defence Forces (Incl. The Military Rabbinate).{{Cite web |last=Weinberg |first=Josh |date=2023-06-08 |title=The Menorah and the Olive Branch |url=https://arza.org/the-menorah-and-the-olive-branch/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=ARZA }}
In Israel, olives are an economically important fruit.{{Cite web |title=Israel's olive oil industry |url=https://www.touristisrael.com/israel-olive-oil-industry/28198/ |website=www.touristisrael.com|date=16 December 2019 }}{{Cite web |last=Eldan |first=Yitzhak |date=2021-01-07 |title=The Olive Tree Road of Israel: Israel's secret UNESCO treasure |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/the-olive-tree-road-of-israel-israels-secret-unesco-treasure-654572 |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=The Jerusalem Post }} 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.{{Cite web |title=Olive voted as national tree to mark tu bishvat |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/olive-voted-as-national-tree-to-mark-tu-bishvat/amp/#amp_tf=Von%20%251%24s&aoh=17203500873945&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com |website=The Times of Israel}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Olive |url=https://www.kkl-jnf.org/tourism-and-recreation/touring-holy-land/trees/olive/#:~:text=The%20Olive%20Tree%20in%20Israel,mountains%20of%20Samaria%20and%20Ephraim. |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael }}{{Cite web |title=Artolio presents olive tree varieties israel |url=https://enicbcmed.eu/artolio-presents-olive-tree-varieties-israel |website=enicbcmed.eu}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.creativejewishmom.com/2020/09/a-walk-in-an-olive-grove-in-northen-israel.html A walk in an olive grove in northen israel]
- [https://www.htaa.org/news?post_id=239756 Lessons from the Olive Tree]
- [https://israelolivebond.com/olive-oil/olive-oil-history/ Olive Oil in Bibical times and later]
- [https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/daily-life-and-practice/the-land-of-milk-and-olives/ The land of milk and olives]
- [https://israelagri.com/the-improvement-of-olive-trees/ The improvement of olive trees]
- [https://travelujah.com/where-to-enjoy-israels-olive-harvest/ Where to enjoy Israel's olive harvest]
- [https://www.israel21c.org/the-top-10-most-amazing-trees-in-israel/ The top 10 most amazing trees in israel]
- [https://www.myolivetree.com/olive-tree-flourishing-in-the-house-of-god/ Olive tree flourishing in the house of god]
- [https://biblicalisraeltours.com/2016/11/the-olive-harvest/ The olive and its harvest]
- [https://www.gemsinisrael.com/the-gems/a-culinary-exploration-of-israel/culinary-corner-olives-in-jewish-texts/ Olives in Jewish texts]
- [https://adammontefiore.com/a-land-of-olive-oil A land of olive oil]