{"id":3982,"date":"2018-07-31T04:09:18","date_gmt":"2018-07-31T04:09:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/batkol.info\/?p=3982"},"modified":"2018-07-31T04:09:18","modified_gmt":"2018-07-31T04:09:18","slug":"parashat-ekev","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/2018\/07\/31\/parashat-ekev\/","title":{"rendered":"Parashat Ekev"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Shabbat\u00a0Table\u00a0Talk<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Parashat<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Eikev\u00a0–<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Erev\u00a0Shabbat<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a03\u00a0\u00a0August\u00a0\u00a02018<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\nWeek\u00a0of<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a029\u00a0\u00a0July\u00a0\u00a0\u2013\u00a0\u00a04\u00a0\u00a0August\u00a0\u00a02018<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Torah\u00a0portion:\u00a0Deuteronomy\u00a07:12-11:25<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Haftarah:\u00a0Isaiah\u00a049:14-51:3<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Author: Mary\u00a0\u00a0Ann\u00a0\u00a0Payne<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

Download<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

T<\/em><\/strong>he\u00a0<\/em>Israelites\u00a0are\u00a0camped\u00a0east\u00a0of\u00a0Jericho\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0plain\u00a0of\u00a0Moab,\u00a0preparing\u00a0to\u00a0cross\u00a0the\u00a0Jordan\u00a0and\u00a0enter Canaan.\u00a0Moses\u2019\u00a0address\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0people\u00a0reminds\u00a0us\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0wise\u00a0and\u00a0loving\u00a0father,\u00a0<\/em>as\u00a0he\u00a0<\/em>extols\u00a0the\u00a0blessings\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0a\u00a0\u00a0\u201dgood\u00a0\u00a0land\u201d,\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0seven\u00a0\u00a0species,\u00a0\u00a0…\u201da\u00a0\u00a0land\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0wheat\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0barley,\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0vines,\u00a0\u00a0figs\u00a0\u00a0and pomegranates,\u00a0a\u00a0land\u00a0of\u00a0olive\u00a0trees\u00a0and\u00a0honey.\u201d\u00a0(Deut\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a08:7-8)\u00a0In\u00a0an\u00a0impassioned\u00a0plea,\u00a0Moses\u00a0warns\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0danger\u00a0of\u00a0such\u00a0plenty;\u00a0that\u00a0if\u00a0the\u00a0people\u00a0forget\u00a0the\u00a0gifts\u00a0of\u00a0G_d\u2019s\u00a0goodness,\u00a0they\u00a0might\u00a0forget\u00a0G_d Himself.\u00a0That\u00a0seven\u00a0species\u00a0are\u00a0named\u00a0should\u00a0not\u00a0surprise\u00a0us;\u00a0seven\u00a0being\u00a0the\u00a0number\u00a0which\u00a0denotes\u00a0perfection\/completion.\u00a0In\u00a0our\u00a0day\u00a0let\u00a0us\u00a0draw\u00a0sustenance\u00a0from\u00a0these\u00a0gifts\u00a0through\u00a0reflecting\u00a0on\u00a0each.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wheat<\/strong>:\u00a0The\u00a0staff\u00a0of\u00a0life,\u00a0a\u00a0prized\u00a0grain\u00a0and\u00a0cereal,\u00a0a\u00a0symbol\u00a0of\u00a0abundance.\u00a0Wheat\u00a0harvest\u00a0is\u00a0first mentioned\u00a0in Gen\u00a0\u00a030:14.\u00a0Scripture\u00a0reports\u00a0Isaac\u00a0sowed\u00a0seed\u00a0and\u00a0reaped\u00a0a\u00a0hundredfold\u00a0(Gen\u00a0\u00a026:12).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Barley<\/strong>:\u00a0Ruth\u00a0\u00a0(1:22)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0arrived\u00a0\u00a0in\u00a0Bethlehem\u00a0as\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0barley\u00a0harvest\u00a0\u00a0began\u00a0and\u00a0gleaned\u00a0in\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0fields behind\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0harvesters.\u00a0\u00a0In\u00a0\u00a0biblical\u00a0\u00a0times\u00a0\u00a0barley,\u00a0\u00a0not\u00a0\u00a0as\u00a0\u00a0valued\u00a0\u00a0as\u00a0\u00a0wheat,\u00a0\u00a0was\u00a0\u00a0often\u00a0\u00a0used\u00a0\u00a0for\u00a0animal<\/p>\n

fodder. Having\u00a0less\u00a0gluten\u00a0than\u00a0wheat\u00a0it\u00a0produced\u00a0a\u00a0heavier\u00a0bread\u00a0which\u00a0was\u00a0harder\u00a0to\u00a0digest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vines<\/strong>:\u00a0Grapes,\u00a0the\u00a0fruit\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0vine\u00a0\u201cGladdens\u00a0the\u00a0heart\u201d\u00a0\u00a0(Ps\u00a0\u00a0104:15)\u00a0and\u00a0\u201cMakes\u00a0life\u00a0merry.\u201d\u00a0(Ecc 10:19).\u00a0Noah\u00a0planted\u00a0grapes\u00a0after\u00a0the\u00a0flood\u00a0\u00a0(Gen\u00a0\u00a09:20)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0also\u00a0suffered\u00a0the\u00a0consequences\u00a0of\u00a0drinking<\/p>\n

too\u00a0much!\u00a0Even\u00a0with\u00a0careful\u00a0cultivation,\u00a0it\u00a0took\u00a0five\u00a0years\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0first\u00a0clusters\u00a0of\u00a0grapes\u00a0to\u00a0appear\u00a0and ten\u00a0years\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0marketable\u00a0crop.\u00a0Viticulture\u00a0was\u00a0work\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0settled\u00a0people,\u00a0not\u00a0nomads\u00a0and\u00a0because<\/p>\n

growing\u00a0took\u00a0so\u00a0long,\u00a0the\u00a0cultivation\u00a0of\u00a0grapes\u00a0became\u00a0a\u00a0symbol\u00a0of\u00a0peace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Figs:<\/strong>\u00a0The\u00a0sugar\u00a0in\u00a0figs\u00a0makes\u00a0them\u00a0a\u00a0quick\u00a0source\u00a0of\u00a0energy.\u00a0(1\u00a0\u00a0Sam:\u00a0\u00a030:12)\u00a0Figs\u00a0are\u00a0dried\u00a0and\u00a0eaten on\u00a0\u00a0journeys,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0or\u00a0\u00a0pressed\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0squeezed\u00a0\u00a0into\u00a0\u00a0a\u00a0cake.\u00a0\u00a0(1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chron\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a012:40)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0\u00a0fig\u00a0\u00a0tree\u00a0\u00a0lent\u00a0\u00a0its\u00a0\u00a0name\u00a0\u00a0to\u00a0\u00a0two\u00a0villages\u00a0\u00a0on\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0Mount\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0Olives:\u00a0\u00a0Bethphage,\u00a0\u00a0Beit\u00a0\u00a0Pagi\u00a0(House\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0Unripe\u00a0\u00a0Figs)\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0Bethany, Beit Te\u2019enah\u00a0(House\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Fig).\u00a0In\u00a0(1\u00a0\u00a0Kings\u00a0\u00a04:25)\u00a0figs\u00a0are\u00a0seen\u00a0as\u00a0an\u00a0image\u00a0of\u00a0tranquillity.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pomegranates<\/strong>: It\u00a0\u00a0is\u00a0\u00a0said\u00a0that\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0Talmud\u00a0is\u00a0as\u00a0full\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0good\u00a0deeds\u00a0as\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0pomegranate\u00a0is\u00a0full\u00a0of seeds.\u00a0Pomegranates\u00a0alternate\u00a0with\u00a0little\u00a0gold\u00a0bells\u00a0to\u00a0decorate\u00a0the\u00a0High\u00a0Priest\u2019s\u00a0robe\u00a0(Ex\u00a0\u00a028:33-34)\u00a0\u00a0and<\/p>\n

adorn\u00a0the\u00a0capitals\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0pillars\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0doors\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Holy\u00a0of\u00a0Holies\u00a0in\u00a0Solomon\u2019s\u00a0Temple\u00a0\u00a0(1Kgs\u00a0\u00a07:18). Legend\u00a0has\u00a0it\u00a0that\u00a0King\u00a0Solomon\u2019s\u00a0crown\u00a0\u00a0was\u00a0fashioned\u00a0after\u00a0the\u00a0pomegranate\u00a0crown.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Olives<\/strong>:\u00a0More\u00a0than\u00a0a\u00a0food,\u00a0olives\u00a0and\u00a0olive\u00a0oil\u00a0in\u00a0particular,\u00a0provided\u00a0fuel\u00a0for\u00a0heat\u00a0and\u00a0light.\u00a0Each day\u00a0olive\u00a0oil\u00a0was\u00a0offered\u00a0to\u00a0G_d\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0tabernacle\u00a0(Ex29:40),\u00a0was\u00a0used\u00a0to\u00a0anoint\u00a0kings\u00a0(1\u00a0\u00a0Sam\u00a0\u00a010:1)\u00a0and<\/p>\n

priests\u00a0(Ex\u00a029:7)\u00a0and\u00a0as\u00a0medicine\u00a0(Is\u00a0\u00a01:6).\u00a0Furniture\u00a0was\u00a0fashioned\u00a0from\u00a0olive\u00a0wood\u00a0and\u00a0baskets\u00a0woven from\u00a0its\u00a0slender\u00a0branches.\u00a0In\u00a0Aramaic\u00a0\u00a0Gat\u00a0Shamna\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>means\u00a0olive\u00a0press.\u00a0\u00a0Gethsemane\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0Mount\u00a0of<\/p>\n

Olives\u00a0is\u00a0named\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0daytime\u00a0toil\u00a0of\u00a0pressing\u00a0olives.\u00a0When\u00a0evening\u00a0came\u00a0Gethsemane\u00a0would\u00a0be\u00a0a quiet\u00a0place\u00a0where\u00a0one\u00a0might\u00a0go\u00a0pray.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Honey<\/strong>: Dates\u00a0were\u00a0the\u00a0source\u00a0of\u00a0honey\u00a0in\u00a0biblical\u00a0times.\u00a0Date\u00a0palms\u00a0adorned\u00a0Solomon\u2019s\u00a0Temple (1 Kgs\u00a0\u00a06:29)\u00a0and\u00a0often\u00a0\u00a0appear\u00a0in\u00a0synagogue\u00a0decorations.\u00a0\u00a0Towering\u00a0\u00a0date\u00a0\u00a0palms\u00a0\u00a0need\u00a0water\u00a0\u00a0to\u00a0\u00a0grow\u00a0and\u00a0were\u00a0seen\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0symbol\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0and\u00a0pointed\u00a0to\u00a0an\u00a0oasis\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0desert.\u00a0Their\u00a0fronds\u00a0resemble\u00a0a\u00a0human
\nspine\u00a0and\u00a0serve\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0reminder\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0virtue\u00a0of\u00a0an\u00a0upright\u00a0character.\u00a0Dates\u00a0were\u00a0stored\u00a0up\u00a0at\u00a0Masada.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For\u00a0\u00a0Reflection:\u201d<\/strong>Baruch\u00a0\u00a0Eloheinu\u00a0\u00a0she-achalnu\u00a0\u00a0mishelo\u00a0\u00a0uv\u2019tuvo\u00a0\u00a0chayinu\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>\u201cPraised\u00a0\u00a0be\u00a0\u00a0our\u00a0\u00a0G_d,\u00a0\u00a0of whose\u00a0abundance\u00a0we\u00a0have\u00a0eaten,\u00a0and\u00a0by\u00a0whose\u00a0goodness\u00a0we\u00a0live.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bibliography:<\/strong>\u00a0Plaut,\u00a0The\u00a0Torah:\u00a0A\u00a0Modern\u00a0Commentary,\u00a0Vamosh,\u00a0Food\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0Time\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Bible\u00a0\u2013 from\u00a0Adam\u2019s\u00a0Apple\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0Last\u00a0Supper,\u00a0Mishkan\u00a0T\u2019filah\u00a0\u2013\u00a0A\u00a0Reform\u00a0Siddur<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This\u00a0\u00a0week\u2019s\u00a0\u00a0teaching\u00a0\u00a0commentary\u00a0\u00a0was\u00a0\u00a0prepared\u00a0\u00a0by<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mary\u00a0\u00a0Ann\u00a0\u00a0Payne,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Melbourne,\u00a0\u00a0Australia,\u00a0\u00a0Bat\u00a0\u00a0Kol\u00a0\u00a0Alum\u00a0\u00a02007,\u00a0\u00a02011,\u00a0\u00a02015<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/strong>mapayne77@gmail.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

[Copyright\u00a0\u00a0\u00a9\u00a0\u00a02018]<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PLEASE\u00a0\u00a0NOTE<\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0\u00a0weekly\u00a0\u00a0Parashah\u00a0\u00a0commentaries\u00a0\u00a0represent\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0research\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0creative\u00a0\u00a0thought\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0their\u00a0\u00a0authors,\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0are\u00a0\u00a0meant\u00a0\u00a0to<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>
\nstimulate\u00a0\u00a0deeper\u00a0\u00a0thinking\u00a0\u00a0about\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0meaning\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0Scriptures.\u00a0\u00a0While\u00a0\u00a0they\u00a0\u00a0draw\u00a0\u00a0upon\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0study\u00a0\u00a0methods\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0sources\u00a0\u00a0employed\u00a0\u00a0by\u00a0\u00a0the<\/em>\u00a0 <\/em>Bat\u00a0\u00a0Kol\u00a0\u00a0Institute,\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0views\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0conclusions\u00a0\u00a0expressed\u00a0\u00a0in\u00a0\u00a0these\u00a0\u00a0commentaries\u00a0\u00a0are\u00a0\u00a0solely\u00a0\u00a0those\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0their\u00a0\u00a0authors,\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0do\u00a0\u00a0not\u00a0\u00a0necessarily<\/em> represent\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0views\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0Bat\u00a0\u00a0Kol.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0\u00a0commentaries,\u00a0\u00a0along\u00a0\u00a0with\u00a0\u00a0all\u00a0\u00a0materials\u00a0\u00a0published\u00a0\u00a0on\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0Bat\u00a0\u00a0Kol\u00a0\u00a0website,\u00a0\u00a0are\u00a0\u00a0copyrighted\u00a0\u00a0by\u00a0\u00a0the<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0 writers,\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0are\u00a0\u00a0made\u00a0\u00a0available\u00a0\u00a0for\u00a0\u00a0personal\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0group\u00a0\u00a0study,\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0local\u00a0\u00a0church\u00a0\u00a0purposes.\u00a0\u00a0Permission\u00a0\u00a0needed\u00a0\u00a0for\u00a0\u00a0other\u00a0\u00a0purposes.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Questions,\u00a0\u00a0comments\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0feedback\u00a0\u00a0are\u00a0\u00a0always\u00a0\u00a0welcome.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bat\u00a0\u00a0Kol\u00a0\u00a0Institute\u00a0\u00a0for\u00a0\u00a0Jewish\u00a0\u00a0Studies,\u00a0\u00a0Jerusalem\u00a0<\/strong>
\n1983\u00a0\u00a0-2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cChristians\u00a0\u00a0Studying\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0Bible\u00a0\u00a0within\u00a0\u00a0its\u00a0\u00a0Jewish\u00a0\u00a0milieu,\u00a0\u00a0using\u00a0\u00a0Jewish\u00a0\u00a0Sources.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Website:\u00a0\u00a0www.batkol.info\u00a0\u00a0Parashat Admin. gill@batkol.info<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

@import url(https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-content\/plugins\/siteorigin-panels\/css\/front-flex.min.css); #pgc-3982-0-0 , #pgc-3982-0-2 { width:10%;width:calc(10% – ( 0.9 * 30px ) ) } #pgc-3982-0-1 { width:80%;width:calc(80% – ( 0.2 * 30px ) ) } #pl-3982 #panel-3982-0-1-0 { } #pl-3982 .so-panel { margin-bottom:30px } #pl-3982 .so-panel:last-child { margin-bottom:0px } #pg-3982-0.panel-no-style, #pg-3982-0.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style { -webkit-align-items:flex-start;align-items:flex-start } @media (max-width:780px){ #pg-3982-0.panel-no-style, #pg-3982-0.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style { -webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column } #pg-3982-0 .panel-grid-cell { margin-right:0 } #pg-3982-0 .panel-grid-cell { width:100% } #pgc-3982-0-0 , #pgc-3982-0-1 { margin-bottom:30px } #pl-3982 .panel-grid-cell { padding:0 } #pl-3982 .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-empty { display:none } #pl-3982 .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-mobile-last { margin-bottom:0px } } <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Shabbat\u00a0Table\u00a0Talk Parashat\u00a0Eikev\u00a0–\u00a0Erev\u00a0Shabbat\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a03\u00a0\u00a0August\u00a0\u00a02018\u00a0 Week\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a029\u00a0\u00a0July\u00a0\u00a0\u2013\u00a0\u00a04\u00a0\u00a0August\u00a0\u00a02018 Torah\u00a0portion:\u00a0Deuteronomy\u00a07:12-11:25\u00a0 Haftarah:\u00a0Isaiah\u00a049:14-51:3\u00a0 Author: Mary\u00a0\u00a0Ann\u00a0\u00a0Payne   Download   The\u00a0Israelites\u00a0are\u00a0camped\u00a0east\u00a0of\u00a0Jericho\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0plain\u00a0of\u00a0Moab,\u00a0preparing\u00a0to\u00a0cross\u00a0the\u00a0Jordan\u00a0and\u00a0enter Canaan.\u00a0Moses\u2019\u00a0address\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0people\u00a0reminds\u00a0us\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0wise\u00a0and\u00a0loving\u00a0father,\u00a0as\u00a0he\u00a0extols\u00a0the\u00a0blessings\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0a\u00a0\u00a0\u201dgood\u00a0\u00a0land\u201d,\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0seven\u00a0\u00a0species,\u00a0\u00a0…\u201da\u00a0\u00a0land\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0wheat\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0barley,\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0vines,\u00a0\u00a0figs\u00a0\u00a0and pomegranates,\u00a0a\u00a0land\u00a0of\u00a0olive\u00a0trees\u00a0and\u00a0honey.\u201d\u00a0(Deut\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a08:7-8)\u00a0In\u00a0an\u00a0impassioned\u00a0plea,\u00a0Moses\u00a0warns\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0danger\u00a0of\u00a0such\u00a0plenty;\u00a0that\u00a0if\u00a0the\u00a0people\u00a0forget\u00a0the\u00a0gifts\u00a0of\u00a0G_d\u2019s\u00a0goodness,\u00a0they\u00a0might\u00a0forget\u00a0G_d Himself.\u00a0That\u00a0seven\u00a0species\u00a0are\u00a0named\u00a0should\u00a0not\u00a0surprise\u00a0us;\u00a0seven\u00a0being\u00a0the\u00a0number\u00a0which\u00a0denotes\u00a0perfection\/completion.\u00a0In\u00a0our\u00a0day\u00a0let\u00a0us\u00a0draw\u00a0sustenance\u00a0from\u00a0these\u00a0gifts\u00a0through\u00a0reflecting\u00a0on\u00a0each.   Wheat:\u00a0The\u00a0staff\u00a0of\u00a0life,\u00a0a\u00a0prized\u00a0grain\u00a0and\u00a0cereal,\u00a0a\u00a0symbol\u00a0of\u00a0abundance.\u00a0Wheat\u00a0harvest\u00a0is\u00a0first mentioned\u00a0in Gen\u00a0\u00a030:14.\u00a0Scripture\u00a0reports\u00a0Isaac\u00a0sowed\u00a0seed\u00a0and\u00a0reaped\u00a0a\u00a0hundredfold\u00a0(Gen\u00a0\u00a026:12).   Barley:\u00a0Ruth\u00a0\u00a0(1:22)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0arrived\u00a0\u00a0in\u00a0Bethlehem\u00a0as\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0barley\u00a0harvest\u00a0\u00a0began\u00a0and\u00a0gleaned\u00a0in\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0fields behind\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0harvesters.\u00a0\u00a0In\u00a0\u00a0biblical\u00a0\u00a0times\u00a0\u00a0barley,\u00a0\u00a0not\u00a0\u00a0as\u00a0\u00a0valued\u00a0\u00a0as\u00a0\u00a0wheat,\u00a0\u00a0was\u00a0\u00a0often\u00a0\u00a0used\u00a0\u00a0for\u00a0animal fodder. Having\u00a0less\u00a0gluten\u00a0than\u00a0wheat\u00a0it\u00a0produced\u00a0a\u00a0heavier\u00a0bread\u00a0which\u00a0was\u00a0harder\u00a0to\u00a0digest.   Vines:\u00a0Grapes,\u00a0the\u00a0fruit\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0vine\u00a0\u201cGladdens\u00a0the\u00a0heart\u201d\u00a0\u00a0(Ps\u00a0\u00a0104:15)\u00a0and\u00a0\u201cMakes\u00a0life\u00a0merry.\u201d\u00a0(Ecc 10:19).\u00a0Noah\u00a0planted\u00a0grapes\u00a0after\u00a0the\u00a0flood\u00a0\u00a0(Gen\u00a0\u00a09:20)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0also\u00a0suffered\u00a0the\u00a0consequences\u00a0of\u00a0drinking too\u00a0much!\u00a0Even\u00a0with\u00a0careful\u00a0cultivation,\u00a0it\u00a0took\u00a0five\u00a0years\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0first\u00a0clusters\u00a0of\u00a0grapes\u00a0to\u00a0appear\u00a0and ten\u00a0years\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0marketable\u00a0crop.\u00a0Viticulture\u00a0was\u00a0work\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0settled\u00a0people,\u00a0not\u00a0nomads\u00a0and\u00a0because growing\u00a0took\u00a0so\u00a0long,\u00a0the\u00a0cultivation\u00a0of\u00a0grapes\u00a0became\u00a0a\u00a0symbol\u00a0of\u00a0peace.   Figs:\u00a0The\u00a0sugar\u00a0in\u00a0figs\u00a0makes\u00a0them\u00a0a\u00a0quick\u00a0source\u00a0of\u00a0energy.\u00a0(1\u00a0\u00a0Sam:\u00a0\u00a030:12)\u00a0Figs\u00a0are\u00a0dried\u00a0and\u00a0eaten on\u00a0\u00a0journeys,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0or\u00a0\u00a0pressed\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0squeezed\u00a0\u00a0into\u00a0\u00a0a\u00a0cake.\u00a0\u00a0(1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chron\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a012:40)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0\u00a0fig\u00a0\u00a0tree\u00a0\u00a0lent\u00a0\u00a0its\u00a0\u00a0name\u00a0\u00a0to\u00a0\u00a0two\u00a0villages\u00a0\u00a0on\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0Mount\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0Olives:\u00a0\u00a0Bethphage,\u00a0\u00a0Beit\u00a0\u00a0Pagi\u00a0(House\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0Unripe\u00a0\u00a0Figs)\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0Bethany, Beit Te\u2019enah\u00a0(House\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Fig).\u00a0In\u00a0(1\u00a0\u00a0Kings\u00a0\u00a04:25)\u00a0figs\u00a0are\u00a0seen\u00a0as\u00a0an\u00a0image\u00a0of\u00a0tranquillity.   Pomegranates: It\u00a0\u00a0is\u00a0\u00a0said\u00a0that\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0Talmud\u00a0is\u00a0as\u00a0full\u00a0\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0good\u00a0deeds\u00a0as\u00a0\u00a0the\u00a0\u00a0pomegranate\u00a0is\u00a0full\u00a0of seeds.\u00a0Pomegranates\u00a0alternate\u00a0with\u00a0little\u00a0gold\u00a0bells\u00a0to\u00a0decorate\u00a0the\u00a0High\u00a0Priest\u2019s\u00a0robe\u00a0(Ex\u00a0\u00a028:33-34)\u00a0\u00a0and adorn\u00a0the\u00a0capitals\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0pillars\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0doors\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Holy\u00a0of\u00a0Holies\u00a0in\u00a0Solomon\u2019s\u00a0Temple\u00a0\u00a0(1Kgs\u00a0\u00a07:18). Legend\u00a0has\u00a0it\u00a0that\u00a0King\u00a0Solomon\u2019s\u00a0crown\u00a0\u00a0was\u00a0fashioned\u00a0after\u00a0the\u00a0pomegranate\u00a0crown.   Olives:\u00a0More\u00a0than\u00a0a\u00a0food,\u00a0olives\u00a0and\u00a0olive\u00a0oil\u00a0in\u00a0particular,\u00a0provided\u00a0fuel\u00a0for\u00a0heat\u00a0and\u00a0light.\u00a0Each day\u00a0olive\u00a0oil\u00a0was\u00a0offered\u00a0to\u00a0G_d\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0tabernacle\u00a0(Ex29:40),\u00a0was\u00a0used\u00a0to\u00a0anoint\u00a0kings\u00a0(1\u00a0\u00a0Sam\u00a0\u00a010:1)\u00a0and priests\u00a0(Ex\u00a029:7)\u00a0and\u00a0as\u00a0medicine\u00a0(Is\u00a0\u00a01:6).\u00a0Furniture\u00a0was\u00a0fashioned\u00a0from\u00a0olive\u00a0wood\u00a0and\u00a0baskets\u00a0woven from\u00a0its\u00a0slender\u00a0branches.\u00a0In\u00a0Aramaic\u00a0\u00a0Gat\u00a0Shamna\u00a0\u00a0means\u00a0olive\u00a0press.\u00a0\u00a0Gethsemane\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0Mount\u00a0of Olives\u00a0is\u00a0named\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0daytime\u00a0toil\u00a0of\u00a0pressing\u00a0olives.\u00a0When\u00a0evening\u00a0came\u00a0Gethsemane\u00a0would\u00a0be\u00a0a quiet\u00a0place\u00a0where\u00a0one\u00a0might\u00a0go\u00a0pray.   Honey: Dates\u00a0were\u00a0the\u00a0source\u00a0of\u00a0honey\u00a0in\u00a0biblical\u00a0times.\u00a0Date\u00a0palms\u00a0adorned\u00a0Solomon\u2019s\u00a0Temple (1 Kgs\u00a0\u00a06:29)\u00a0and\u00a0often\u00a0\u00a0appear\u00a0in\u00a0synagogue\u00a0decorations.\u00a0\u00a0Towering\u00a0\u00a0date\u00a0\u00a0palms\u00a0\u00a0need\u00a0water\u00a0\u00a0to\u00a0\u00a0grow\u00a0and\u00a0were\u00a0seen\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0symbol\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0and\u00a0pointed\u00a0to\u00a0an\u00a0oasis\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0desert.\u00a0Their\u00a0fronds\u00a0resemble\u00a0a\u00a0human spine\u00a0and\u00a0serve\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0reminder\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0virtue\u00a0of\u00a0an\u00a0upright\u00a0character.\u00a0Dates\u00a0were\u00a0stored\u00a0up\u00a0at\u00a0Masada.   For\u00a0\u00a0Reflection:\u201dBaruch\u00a0\u00a0Eloheinu\u00a0\u00a0she-achalnu\u00a0\u00a0mishelo\u00a0\u00a0uv\u2019tuvo\u00a0\u00a0chayinu\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u201cPraised\u00a0\u00a0be\u00a0\u00a0our\u00a0\u00a0G_d,\u00a0\u00a0of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":46,"featured_media":3984,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3982"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/46"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3982"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3982\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3984"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}