In ancient times those sandals were made of non-processed leather and dry
grass, and had strings or ropes made of simple, cheap materials, though sometimes
golden or
silver beads and even
gems were added. In modern times, Biblical sandals are a symbol of
Zionism. Israeli
pioneers and Israeli born
Jews used them to show the return to the
clothing worn by the ancestors, and fit the climate. The harsh economic situation of the Zionists before the establishment of
Israel, and of the Israelis in the 1940s to the 1960s, including the period of
austerity in Israel, made those low-cost sandals a part of the proud-poor countryside or
kibbutz fashion. The style contrasted with the more ostentatious attire of the
city inhabitants who were
European-influenced. Later, the city inhabitants started wearing these sandals too, especially after their popularization by
Nimrod Shoes in Tel Aviv. Notable modern manufacturers known for making Biblical sandals include
Shoresh and
Teva Naot. The sandals are also sometimes worn by members of the
Knesset, Israel's parliament, while the Knesset is in session. An exhibit on Biblical sandals and Israeli culture was opened at the
Eretz Israel Museum in July 2018. ==See also==