Olives in Judaism

Neolithic period The olive tree is endemic to Israel and the greater Mediterranean Basin. The cultivation of olive trees has been important to the agricultural life in the Land of Israel since the Neolithic period. Pottery containing olive pits, remnants of olives and olive presses discovered on archaeological sites provide evidence of early olive oil production. Ancient Jewish period In ancient Israel and Judah, industrial villages dedicated to olive oil production, likely under royal patronage, were established. These villages housed dozens of presses, exemplified by discoveries at sites like Khirbat Khudash. In the 8th century BCE, the olive oil industry experienced a boom in mass production across both Israelite kingdoms. Following the Assyrian conquest of Israel, the production of olive oil continued in Judah, from where it was shipped to the other vassal states of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Olives and olive by-products were used as a source of food, light (fuel), hygiene, and healing. Later Jewish populations mostly planted olive trees in Galilee, Judea, and Samaria. The olive industry persisted as a key part of the Jewish economy even as the land changed hands under various powers. Olive processing sites • Arad • Beersheva • Beit Aryeh • Bethel • Gamla • Gezer • Golan • Jericho • Jerusalem • Kfar Samir • Kla • Lachish • Mizpah • '''Modi'in''' • Mount Ephraim • Qusbiyye • Shechem • Shephelah • Shiqmona • Shomron • Tel Batash • Tell Beit Mirsim • Tel Beit Shemesh • Tell Hadar • Tirzah Modern Jewish period Following the First Aliyah, Jewish olim began planting a number of plants, including olive trees. Olive oil was sold in markets and exported. 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. Over the 20th century, the Jewish population established numerous olive plantations. The Kibbutz movements played a significant role in fostering the cultivation of olives. 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. Since 2021, the olive tree has been the national tree of the State of Israel. Its branches are depicted on the Emblem of Israel and the insignia of the Israel Defence Forces (incl. The Military Rabbinate). In Israel, olives are an economically important fruit. 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. 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. ==Significance==

In Hebrew scripture The first mention of olives appears in the narrative of Noah's flood, where the dove returns to the ark with an olive leaf in her mouth, signifying the receding of the waters (Genesis 8:11). During the sabbatical year, the land is to rest, allowing the poor and beasts to eat from vineyards and oliveyards (Exodus 23:11). Pure beaten olive oil is commanded for the continual lighting of the lamp in the tabernacle (Exodus 27:20). The holy anointing oil is compounded with spices and a hin of olive oil for consecrating the tabernacle and priests (Exodus 30:24). In Leviticus, clear beaten olive oil is again specified for the sanctuary lamps to burn continually (Leviticus 24:2). Houses full of goods, cisterns, vineyards, and olive trees are among the inheritances in the Promised Land sworn to the patriarchs (Deuteronomy 6:11). The Land of Israel is praised as one of wheat, barley, vines, figs, pomegranates, olive oil, and honey (Deuteronomy 8:8). When beating the olive tree for harvest, branches are not to be gone over again, leaving remnants for the stranger, fatherless, and widow (Deuteronomy 24:20). As a curse for disobedience, olive trees throughout the coasts will cast their fruit, preventing anointing with oil (Deuteronomy 28:40). The Israelites receive a land with cities, vineyards, and oliveyards they did not plant or build (Joshua 24:13). In Jotham's parable, trees seek a king, first asking the olive tree to reign over them (Judges 9:8). The olive tree refuses, unwilling to leave its fatness honoring God and men to wave over other trees (Judges 9:9). Samson sets fire to Philistine standing corn, shocks, vineyards, and olives using foxes with torches (Judges 15:5). A king will take the best fields, vineyards, and oliveyards to give to his servants (1 Samuel 8:14). Elisha questions if it is time to receive money, garments, oliveyards, vineyards, sheep, oxen, and servants (2 Kings 5:26) An Assyrian tempts surrender with a land of corn, wine, bread, vineyards, olive trees, and honey (2 Kings 18:32). Within the holy of holies, two cherubims were made of olive tree, each ten cubits high (1 Kings 6:23). Doors for the holy of holies are made of olive tree, with carvings of cherubims, palms, and flowers overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:31). For the temple door, posts are made of olive tree (1 Kings 6:33). Baalhanan the Gederite oversees the olive trees and sycamores in the low plains (1 Chronicles 27:28). The nobles' usury leads to restoring fields, vineyards, oliveyards, and houses to the people (Nehemiah 5:11). Proclamation is made to fetch olive branches, pine, myrtle, palm, and thick tree branches for booths (Nehemiah 8:15). Fortified cities, fat land, houses, cisterns, vineyards, oliveyards, and fruit trees are captured and enjoyed (Nehemiah 9:25). The wicked shake off unripe grapes and cast off flowers as the olive (Job 15:33). In Israelite and Jewish culture listed in . The olive tree is one of the most important trees in Judaism and Jewish culture. They symbolize Jewish connection to their historic homeland. Olives are a part of the Seven Species. They were part of the diet of the Ancient Israelites, and are still used in modern Israeli and Jewish cuisines. • 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. 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. • 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. Olive trees are among the seven species (shiv'at haminim) that are traditionally associated with the Land of Israel's fertility and abundance. • 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. This miracle is celebrated as a symbol of divine intervention and perseverance. • 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. On the 301st day of the flood, Noah sent the dove again. 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. • 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. ==See also==