Page 32 - HaMizrachi #26 Tu Bishvat USA 2021

Na ure

of Israel

he Shivat HaMinim, the Seven Species, although deeply connected to the Land, are not the only species of Israel. Serving
as the bridge between the African Desert and the Mediterranean, Israel has a rich variety of natural resources and is a
Tbiodiverse hotspot. According to the Nature Reserves Authority, Israel boasts over 47,000 living species. Here’s a peek at
some of Israel’s most celebrated and beloved natural treasures.

— Plants —

Almond Tree • ד ֵק ָשׁ Mustard • ל ָדּ ְר ַח
Although most trees in Israel bloom in the spring, with fruit Israel is home to seven different species of the mustard plant,
ripening in the summer, the almond tree blooms while it is still which is one of the most proliferate plants in the area. After
winter, when there are fewer natural resources such as sunshine the first rains fall, mustard blooms wildly in fields and by the
and pollinating bugs, but when there is no competition over sides of roads. The Talmud uses the mustard seed to describe a
those pollinating bugs with other ripening trees. minuscule measurement (Niddah 5b) and tells us that Avraham
served his guests beef tongue with mustard (Bava Metzia 86b).
Although the almond tree has been farmed in Israel for thou-
sands of years, Baron Rothschild brought about an “almond It also mentions that mustard was used for medicinal purposes
revolution” after an agricultural disease adversely affected the (Brachot 40a).
wine industry in the 1890s. 37,000 almond trees were planted
over about 14 years. Castor Oil Plant • ןוֹי ָקי ִק
The castor oil plant (kikayon) is native to the Mediterranean
Willow • ה ָב ָר ֲע region and East Africa and is sought after for its medicinal
The arava is a species of willow tree usually found on the banks qualities – it is used to help cure skin problems, induce natural
of rivers and streams, since it requires abundant water to grow. labor in childbirth, and as a laxative.
The arava is one of the four species of Sukkot, reminding us Raw castor oil beans are toxic – the lethal dose in humans
of the rainwater we pray for in the coming year. The tree is is considered four to eight seeds. The kikayon is famously
dioecious, meaning each tree is entirely male or female. It mentioned in Tanach as the plant under which Yonah sat next
blossoms in the spring. Archeological traces of arava dating to the city of Nineveh.
back 5,000 years ago have been found near Yericho.