The olive tree and its oil have been major components in the History of Ancient Israel and the Jewish people since millennia. ^{[1] [2] [3]} It's often mentioned in Jewish religious text's symbolizing peace ^{[4] [5]}, prosperity, wisdom ^[6] and blessing. ^[7] It had a key role in the agricultural life, industry and religious practices in ancient Israel and Judah.

History

The olive tree is native to Israel. ^{[8] [9] [10]} The cultivation of olive trees was important in the agricultural life in the Land of Israel and started over ~8000 years ago ( Neolithic period). ^{[11] [12] [13]} An oil press that is considered the oldest in the world was discovered in an underwater excavation near Haifa, and it is dated to the Chalcolithic period ^{[14] [15]} Pottery containing olive pits, remnants of olives and olive presses discovered on archaeological sites region provide evidence of early olive oil production. ^{[16] [17] [18]} During the ~8th-7th centuries BCE, the olive oil industry experienced a boom in mass production across the israelite Kingdoms ^{[19] [20] [21] [22] [23]}

In the Kingdom of Israel, industrial villages dedicated to oil production, likely under royal patronage, were established. ^{[24] [25] [26]}These villages housed dozens of presses, exemplified by discoveries at sites such as Khirbet Khadash. ^{[27] [28] [29]} Olives in general were used as a source of food, light, hygiene and healing. ^{[30] [31]} Israelite and later Judean populations were mostly planting the trees in the Galilee, Judea and Samaria ^{[32] [33] [34] [35] [36]}

In Judaism, Jewish tradition and culture

The Olive Tree is one of the most important trees in Judaism and Jewish culture. ^{[37] [38] [39] [40] [41]} They are a sign of jewish rootedness to their historic land. ^{[42] [43]} Olives are a part of the Seven Species and were and still are used in the Ancient Israelite and modern Israeli/ Jewish cuisine. ^{[44] [45]}

• In 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, symbolizing light and divine presence. Pure olive oil was used to keep the Menorah burning continuously. ^[46]

• 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. ^[47] Olive trees are among the seven species (shiv'at haminim) that are traditionally associated with the Land of Israel's fertility and abundance. ^{[48] [49] [50] [51]}

• 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. ^{[52] [53]}

• 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. ^[54] 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. ^{[55] [56] [57] [58]}

In Israel today

The olive tree is the national tree of Israel. ^{[59] [60]} It's branches are depicted on the Emblem of the State of Israel and the insignia of the Israel Defence Forces (Incl. The Military Rabbinate). ^[61]

Olives are one of the most important fruits grown in Israel. ^[62] Scattered throughout Israel’s verdant olive plantations, one can also find old olive trees, some of which have stood for centuries. These trees can be found in various regions, from the elevated mountain areas to the coastal plains. The landscape is adorned with 340,000 dunams ( 84,000 acres) of olive plantations. ^[63] These expansive groves are home to a variety of olive types. Among the most common varieties found in Israeli plantations are Zuri, Barnea, Manzanillo, Picual, Muhasan, Nabali, Picholine, and Maalot. ^[64]

See also

• Mount of Olives
• Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery
• Jewish symbolism

References

External links

• A walk in an olive grove in northen israel
• Lessons from the Olive Tree
• Olive Oil in Bibical times and later
• The land of milk and olives
• The improvement of olive trees
• The olive and its harvest
• A land of olive oil
• Olive