Based on this passage, most Torah
commentators state that the fruit Eve
gave Adam was not an apple, but
a fig. Because a fig had caused
their sin, it was appropriate that they
use the fig leaf to cover their shame.
When Moshe's scouts returned
from their mission to Eretz Yisrael,
they brought back samples of figs
and pomegranates (Numbers
13:23). The pomegranate is men-
tioned six times in Shir HaShirim

(Song of Songs). The robe of
Aharon as high priest was decorat-
ed with ornaments in the shape of
I pomegranates (Exodus 28:33-34):

When the Jews conquered the
Land of Israel, they found extensive
1 olive plantations (Deuteronomy
6:1 1). The olive tree, and especially
its fruit and oil, helped form the
I basis of ancient Israel's agritultural
economy. When Noah sent the
I dove from the ark, the bird returned
I with an olive leaf (Genesis 8:1 1),

and this has since developed into a
symbol of peace.
King David owned plantations of
olive trees, the prophets Jeremiah and
Zechariah mention the olive tree and
it appears in the Book of Psalms.
It was in the shade of a date-palm
tree that the prophet Devora judged
the people (Judges 4:51. In Hebrew,
the date palm is tamar, a name

shared by three women in the
Tanach: Yehuda's daughter-in-law,
David's daughter and Absalom's
daughter. The date palm is praised
in Shir HaShirim and Psalms. Its

I fronds are among the four species
taken on Sukkot (Leviticus 23:40). •
The cedar (erez in Hebrew) is
I mentioned 70 times in the Tanach.
Ceda‘r wood was used for build-
ing the First Temple during the reign
of Shlomo, King Solomon (II Kings

5:20,28) and the Second Temple
(Ezra 3:7). The cedar known in the
Tanach is the cedar of Lebanon and
grew extensively in the mountains. In
many places, the Tanach speaks of
I the cedar's beauty, hardiness and
j longevity. ❑

Where To Put
Clothes That Have
Worn Out Their
Welcome

Donation

Center

Open Friday, February 2

26235 Greenfield Rd. (Old Sears Hardware)
Southfield
248-552-9585

Located.in the same building with the new thrift store
(opening 3-31-01)

Donation Center Hours:
Mon.-Sat. 9am - 5pm • Sunday llam - 5pm

Now hiring for all positions.

• All Donations Tax Deductible •
• Furniture and Misc. Household Items Also Accepted •

2/2
2001

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