Wheat represents the endeavor to nourish our physical bodies as well as our spiritual aspirations. It must be planted, plowed, ground, cared for, harvested, winnowed, ground, sifted, kneaded and baked: a long and difficult process. Similarly, when we are far away from the land, our connection to Israel needs to be nurtured throughout our lives.

BARLEY is a cereal grain and the first of the seven species harvested after winter.  Barley was an essential Israelite staple for making bread and porridge.  In Egypt and Mesopotamia, barley was used in the production of beer, though little evidence has been found for beer drinking among the Israelites.  A coarse cereal, barley, in comparison to wheat, was cheaper, less desired, and even fed to animals. Barley is a hardier crop than wheat, able to grow in poor soil, less water, intemperate weather, and even quicker to harvest.

The Israeli wild grapevines were found to be the source of domestication for all the cultivated group of table grapes, which includes the Israeli domesticated grapevines. This initial group of grapevine varieties then were dispersed to eastern and western Europe, to form most of the known winegrapes. The modern Israeli wine industry was founded by Baron Edmond James de Rothschild, owner of the Bordeaux estate Château Lafite-Rothschild. Today, Israeli winemaking takes place in five vine-growing regions: Galil (Galilee),  The Golan Heights, the region most suited for viticulture due to its high elevation, cool breezes, marked day and night temperature changes and rich, well-drained soils. The Judean Hills, surrounding the city of Jerusalem, Shimshon (Samson), located between the Judean Hills and the Coastal Plain. The Negev, a semi-arid desert region, where drip irrigation has made grape growing possible, and the Sharon plain near the Mediterranean coast and just south of Haifa, surrounding the towns of Zichron Ya'akov and Binyamina, which is the largest grape growing area in Israel.

The fig is the edible fruit of Ficus carica, a species of small shrub in the flowering plant family Moraceae, native to the Mediterranean region, together with western and southern Asia. It has been cultivated since ancient times and is now widely grown throughout the world. Symbolic of “Netzach,” endurance and longevity, the fig is believed by some to be the tree of “national Israel”, reflects the everlasting fruitfulness of the Jewish people and our capacity to endure and survive in spite of every hardship.

The pomegranate is one of the seven species of Israel (along with wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives, and dates) listed in the Torah in Parashat Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25).  In Jewish tradition, pomegranates are a symbol of fertility and love.The pomegranate is often said to have 613 seeds, corresponding to the 613 mitzvot  derived from the Bible. While this is not actually true (the number of seeds in each pomegranate varies widely), some have theorized that this belief stems from a misinterpretation of a passage in the Gemara (Berachot 4), which concludes that even “the empty ones among the Jews are full of mitzvot like a pomegranate is [full of seeds.]”An image of a pomegranate decorated some ancient Jewish coins, including a recently discovered one from the era of the Bar Kochba revolt (second century CE).

Olive (Olea europaea) is an evergreen tree or shrub. Olive trees in Israel stand as living testaments to the country’s rich agricultural history and cultural heritage. These fascinating trees, known for their hardy nature and longevity, have lifespans ranging from 300 to 600 years, with some certified specimens believed to be as old as 2000 years! One of the most popular symbol of the olive branch, which represents peace and glory. The Olive tree flowers in April and May. It is found all over Israel. It is used for eating and making oil.

Date trees are an important part of Israel's history and culture. The main date varieties in Israel are Medjoul, Deri, Hayani, Dekel Nour, Barhi, Zahidi, Halawi, Hadrawi, and Ameri. The fruit picking season in Israel is from August to October.                             The date palm tree has been a symbol of life and prosperity in the Land of Israel.