The riper the fruit, the greater the quantity of oil that can be extracted from them. From this region, olives spread throughout the entire Mediterranean basin in the Bronze Age. In terms of economics, olives were enormously important in ancient times. Olive growers were among the wealthiest people, as olive oil was the main source of energy for lamps. The oil was also used for medical purposes, mainly for lubricating the body and healing sores and also as a solution in which volatile cosmetic ingredients were preserved.
In modern times, also, olive oil is highly regarded for its health-giving properties: it is said that regular consumption of olive oil has a positive effect on cardiac problems and aids digestion.
Ancient olive tree in Tzuba, in the Judean Plains. Distribution in the World The olive tree is the most characteristic tree of the Mediterranean region. It is common along all the coasts of the Mediterranean, where winters are not particularly cold. In the last century, the olive tree became acclimatized for growing in other regions also — places that are neither tropical nor too cold. It was the Spaniards, who introduced olive trees into the American continent, where it settled down well.
It is now grown also in South Africa and Australia. Some two million tons of olives are now harvested annually worldwide, most of which is used for making olive oil. In commercial terms, olives are now one of the most important fruits grown in Israel, with olive plantations in the mountains of the Galilee, on the coastal plain, in the mountains of Samaria and Ephraim.
In Israel, there are , dunams 52, acres of olive plantations. At present, KKL-JNF maintains some 20, dunams 5, acres of olive plantations and it plants approximately 15, new olive trees in its forests every year. The saplings are grown at KKL-JNF nurseries from local varieties, and they develop without insecticides or chemical fertilizers. In recent years, KKL-JNF has also been helping commercial olive farmers in the desert regions of Israel, through the usage of saline water.
In order to maintain the age-old traditions connected with olive growing, KKL-JNF each year celebrates the olive harvest festival in its forests throughout the country.
Several Mediterranean cultures identify the cypress with the afterlife, prompted by its evergreen quality and the fact that it is roughly shaped like a candle, a symbol of the soul in both Judaism and Islam. It is commonly planted at cemeteries of both faiths throughout Israel — including the military cemetery at Mount Herzl. While traveling through the Galilee, he made a stop at the tomb of Rabbi Yosef Abba Halafta — a site which, he wrote home, stood under a large oak tree.
The massive year-old Tavor oak towering over the tomb today is almost certainly that very same tree, for it is believed to be at least years old.
The tree is 18 meters high, and so wide that it would take three people to surround it. Take a seat on a bench below the tree as you pay homage to Rabbi Halafta. A 2nd-century scholar who taught his students Mishna, he lived during scary times: The Romans who ruled the Land of Israel had a prohibition against the study of Torah and the ordination of new teachers. Famous for his declaration that the shchina the spirit of God is present when ten people are engaged in Torah study, Halafta managed to stay under the Roman radar.
Aviva Bar-Am is the author of seven English-language guides to Israel. Shmuel Bar-Am is a licensed tour guide who provides private, customized tours in Israel f or individuals, families and small groups.
In Streetwise Hebrew for the Times of Israel Community, each month we learn several colloquial Hebrew phrases around a common theme. These are bite-size audio Hebrew classes that we think you'll really enjoy. This month, we're learning phrases on the topic of strength and power. Ready to get tough with us? So now we have a request. Three species grow in the Land of Israel in the desert and one rare species in the Mediterranean region.
In large areas of the desert lands of the Negev and Sinai, acacia trees are the only trees. More than 20 ornamental species, originating from Africa and Australia, are also grown in the country. The Australian acacia is characterized by large, flat leaves being an expansion of the leaf petiole, as the true pinnate leaves degenerated.
Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael plants a number of acacia species, both local and acclimatized, mainly in arid areas: the Negev, around Maaleh Adumim, the Jordan Valley. The names of the wild acacia found in Israel are:. Adopt an Acacia. Arava Accacia Survey Summary. Back to top. Research and De International C Forestry and Ec
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