The olive is an integral part of Judaism and Jewish life. From the time of the Bible until today, this small but mighty fruit has held so much significance for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.
Olives
and the Bible
and the Bible
Content
Taste of Israel History
Let's start with biblical times
A story is told in the Midrash, the ancient commentary on the Bible, where an agent was sent to purchase olive oil on behalf of the people of Laodicea. He first went to Jerusalem, knowing that the finest oil was used for the Temple, but the locals told him the best olive oil came from the northern city of Tyre, a major city known for its bustling trade where he could secure the vast quantity of oil he needed. However, in Tyre they sent him to Gush Halav, located in the Upper Galilee, within the boundaries of the Tribe of Asher, where the olive oil was produced.
And then the agent finally arrives at the source. Just picture the scene as he meets a simple farmer, his clothes worn and showing the effects of hours of work in the olive groves and fields under the baking Middle Eastern sun.
And then the agent finally arrives at the source. Just picture the scene as he meets a simple farmer, his clothes worn and showing the effects of hours of work in the olive groves and fields under the baking Middle Eastern sun.
The agent makes his request for a large purchase, but the farmer politely tells him that he will need to wait; today’s work in the olive groves is not yet over. He goes back to tending to his olive trees while the agent respectfully waits.
Later, the farmer hosts the agent at his home, providing him with a delicious meal, and then invites him to sample the oil he has come to purchase. The agent breaks off a piece of bread and dips it into the pure olive oil. The oil soaks into the bread, and the agent bites into it. Immediately, the flavors burst into life, fruity, intense, and lacking in any bitterness whatsoever. Now the agent understands why he traveled so far across the Holy Land, for this very moment. This olive oil is the result of a simple man’s love and dedication to toiling in the Holy Land, and, with it, reaping the blessings that God gave to those who dwell in it and follow his ways.
Later, the farmer hosts the agent at his home, providing him with a delicious meal, and then invites him to sample the oil he has come to purchase. The agent breaks off a piece of bread and dips it into the pure olive oil. The oil soaks into the bread, and the agent bites into it. Immediately, the flavors burst into life, fruity, intense, and lacking in any bitterness whatsoever. Now the agent understands why he traveled so far across the Holy Land, for this very moment. This olive oil is the result of a simple man’s love and dedication to toiling in the Holy Land, and, with it, reaping the blessings that God gave to those who dwell in it and follow his ways.
“Your food was fine flour, honey and olive oil. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen.”
Ezekiel 16:13
The olive is an integral part of Judaism and Jewish life. From the time of the Bible until today, this small but mighty fruit has held so much significance for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.
It is a symbol of peace. When the great flood enveloped the entire world, Noah sent out a dove from his ark and when it returned, it was clutching an olive branch between his beak, a sign that God was reaching out to Noah with a covenant of peace and that the flood waters had receded. Even today, this desire for peace is represented by the olive branch, which is wrapped around the sword that is proudly emblazoned on the insignia of the uniforms of the soldiers of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Even in war, the purpose is to secure peace for the Holy Land.
When God instructed the Jewish people to construct the Holy Tabernacle in the wilderness, the seven-branched golden candelabra could only be illuminated with the most superior high-grade olive oil, freshly pressed from the olives of grand olive trees. Once the permanent Temple was erected in Jerusalem, the Menorah would also be lit with only the purest olive oil in the land, which came from the northern city of Tekoa.
It is a symbol of peace. When the great flood enveloped the entire world, Noah sent out a dove from his ark and when it returned, it was clutching an olive branch between his beak, a sign that God was reaching out to Noah with a covenant of peace and that the flood waters had receded. Even today, this desire for peace is represented by the olive branch, which is wrapped around the sword that is proudly emblazoned on the insignia of the uniforms of the soldiers of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Even in war, the purpose is to secure peace for the Holy Land.
When God instructed the Jewish people to construct the Holy Tabernacle in the wilderness, the seven-branched golden candelabra could only be illuminated with the most superior high-grade olive oil, freshly pressed from the olives of grand olive trees. Once the permanent Temple was erected in Jerusalem, the Menorah would also be lit with only the purest olive oil in the land, which came from the northern city of Tekoa.
The events of the Hannukah story confirm the importance of the purity of olive oil in the Holy Land. Following the victory of Judah Macabee against the Syrian-Greek empire, he and his followers arrived at the Holy Temple, only to discover that the Menorah had been stolen. They built a temporary Menorah, but when they came to light it, they found only one vial of pure olive oil intact, featuring the seal of the high priest Yochanan. With full faith, they lit the Menorah and God performed a miracle, making this one vial of oil last a full eight days, allowing for more pure olive oil to be produced.
Olive oil is a central element in our service and acknowledgment to God, as our forefather Jacob demonstrated when he arose from his dream and set up a pillar upon which he poured oil.
Pure olive oil is also essential to the process of consecrating both High Priests and Kings, as they were to be anointed with it. The first King to be anointed was David, and even today, special olive oil is produced at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem for anointing modern-day Kings!
Olive oil is a central element in our service and acknowledgment to God, as our forefather Jacob demonstrated when he arose from his dream and set up a pillar upon which he poured oil.
Pure olive oil is also essential to the process of consecrating both High Priests and Kings, as they were to be anointed with it. The first King to be anointed was David, and even today, special olive oil is produced at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem for anointing modern-day Kings!
Ancient olive tree nicknamed “the tribal elder” grows in Wadi Zeitan, located in the northwestern Negev desert. That the last time they saw daylight was 1,500 years ago. This gave an approximate date to the time the tree was planted and confirmed its old age.
You must be wondering how olive oil was seemingly available wherever the Jewish people found themselves, whether in Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was first set up within the borders of the Holy Land, in Beit El, where Jacob had his dream, or in Jerusalem, where the Holy Temple stood.
‘And Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And a spirit of the Lord passed over David from that day forth, and Samuel arose and went to Ramah.’
Samuel I - 16:13
‘You will have olive trees throughout all your boundaries, but you will not anoint with [their]. oil, because your olive trees will drop off.’
Deuteronomy 28: 40
The answer lies in the Bible which tells us how God blessed the entire Holy Land with an abundance of olive trees. Wherever you tread, it would not be long before you came across a beautiful olive tree, standing there proudly with its branches covered in ripe olives just waiting to serve their holy purpose, or an olive press, with which our ancestors crushed the olives to release its oils, or even the remains of ancient utensils used in the production of olive oil. This abundance of olives was included in God’s promise to our forefathers, that their descendants would enter ‘a land of wheat and barley, vines and figs and pomegranates, a land of oil producing olives and honey,’ (Deuteronomy 8:8).
Today, evidence of this blessing is everywhere, especially at Israel Cart, where you can purchase a wide variety of exquisite olive oils and olive-based products to consume and anoint your skin, enjoying the benefits of the blessing that God made thousands of years ago.
Today, evidence of this blessing is everywhere, especially at Israel Cart, where you can purchase a wide variety of exquisite olive oils and olive-based products to consume and anoint your skin, enjoying the benefits of the blessing that God made thousands of years ago.
The olive regions
of the Biblical Holy Land
of the Biblical Holy Land
We know the Land of Israel was shrouded in acres of olive trees; however, certain regions were renowned for the abundance and superior quality of the olives that grew there.
The Tribe of Asher was blessed with the most fertile territory of the land in an area based around the Galilee region of Israel’s north. There, according to the Babylonian Talmud, the olive oil was said to ‘flow like a fountain’ and the quality was so superior that they would sell and trade their olive oil with the other tribes, greatly enriching themselves. It wouldn’t be used just for consumption, they would also anoint themselves with the pure oil to reap both its health and cosmetic benefits! With Israel cart, just like the brothers of Asher, you too can indulge in the revitalizing properties of our olive-based skincare products, such as olive body scrub, exfoliate, and shower soap.
1. And of Asher he said: "May Asher be blessed with sons. He will be pleasing to his brothers, and immerse his foot in oil.
(Deuteronomy) - Chapter 33:24
During the times of King David, the inhabitants of the northern city of Tekoa were known as the wisest of the land, a result of their routine consumption of pure olive oil, as confirmed by the great Rabbinical commentator, Rashi (Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac 1040 to 1105 who said about the people of Tekoa, “because olive oil is found there, [in abundance], wisdom is found there.”
Although the Biblical city of Tekoa was located just south of Jerusalem, where the modern-day community of Tekoa stands today, the city of Tekoa in the time of King David was based in northern Israel, within the boundaries of the tribe of Asher, today the Galilee region. While olive trees were also found in Biblical Tekoa, this northern city of Tekoa was flowing with olive trees and olive oil, contributing to the great wisdom of its residents! Although Biblical Tekoa doesn’t exist anymore, you can consume the pure olive oil available at Israel Cart, which has been medically proven to be beneficial for brain health and good memory.
Tekoa was also from where the oil for kindling the Menorah in The Holy Temple in Jerusalem was sourced. It was the best of the best, and according to the Mishna (Menahot 8:3) “Tekoa has the choicest oil.”
Although the Biblical city of Tekoa was located just south of Jerusalem, where the modern-day community of Tekoa stands today, the city of Tekoa in the time of King David was based in northern Israel, within the boundaries of the tribe of Asher, today the Galilee region. While olive trees were also found in Biblical Tekoa, this northern city of Tekoa was flowing with olive trees and olive oil, contributing to the great wisdom of its residents! Although Biblical Tekoa doesn’t exist anymore, you can consume the pure olive oil available at Israel Cart, which has been medically proven to be beneficial for brain health and good memory.
Tekoa was also from where the oil for kindling the Menorah in The Holy Temple in Jerusalem was sourced. It was the best of the best, and according to the Mishna (Menahot 8:3) “Tekoa has the choicest oil.”
2. And Joab sent to Tekoa and took from there a wise woman
(II Samuel) - Chapter 14:2
The ‘lowland’ refers to the Judean Lowlands, a region known as the Shfela in Hebrew. It covers the area between the Jerusalem hills and reaches all the way to the Mediterranean coast. Here, as well you see Biblical references to an abundance of olive trees. In the region is the Elah Valley where the famous battle between David and Goliath took place is an archaeological site called
Khirbet Qeiyafa, where in 2007, an Israelite-style fortress was discovered. Inside, olive pits dated to the period of King David's rule were found!
Further evidence of olive oil production came with the discovery of numerous ancient olive presses at the site of the ancient city of Gath, which backed up the theory that olive oil was a major part of the economic trade in the region. At another site, at Tel Beit Shemesh, utensils for producing olive oil, including vats and olive presses, were also found.
Khirbet Qeiyafa, where in 2007, an Israelite-style fortress was discovered. Inside, olive pits dated to the period of King David's rule were found!
Further evidence of olive oil production came with the discovery of numerous ancient olive presses at the site of the ancient city of Gath, which backed up the theory that olive oil was a major part of the economic trade in the region. At another site, at Tel Beit Shemesh, utensils for producing olive oil, including vats and olive presses, were also found.
3. And over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that are in the lowland was Baal-Hanan the Gederite, and over the storehouses of the oil was Joash.
(Chronicles I - Chapter 27:28)
Ancient Shiloh was the first resting place of the Holy Tabernacle following the entry of the Israelites to the Promised Land. It was also the center of olive oil production in the region and in the ancient Shiloh archaeological park, right next to the modern-day community of Shiloh, archeologists discovered a 1,300-year-old olive press, joining another olive press previously found in the area, Both olive presses were very large, proving that they were integral to the mass production of olive oil. Another discovery was of a large stock of olive pits.
Even today, pure olive oil flows once again in the Shiloh region at the Achiyah Farm where 2000 different species of olives grow on 350 dunams of olive groves and supply locals with a taste of the pure oil which our ancestors once produced and consumed themselves!
Even today, pure olive oil flows once again in the Shiloh region at the Achiyah Farm where 2000 different species of olives grow on 350 dunams of olive groves and supply locals with a taste of the pure oil which our ancestors once produced and consumed themselves!
4. And the entire congregation of the children of Israel assembled at Shiloh, and set up the tent of meeting there. And the land was subdued before them.
(Joshua - Chapter 18:1)
Olive Oil in Modern Israel
In modern day Israel, olive oil still plays such an important part in our everyday lives. Israelis swear by their favorite brands of olive oil (of which Israel Cart works with some of the best!), often buying extra virgin olive oil in steel cans or special bottles. From cooking or adding a burst of flavor to salads or a mezze spread to using it for lighting the Shabbat candles or the Menorah on Hannukah, olive oil continues to be everpresent in the Jewish story.
And we don’t skimp on quality, either. There are olive oil associations and quality stickers that producers strive to qualify their olive oil for to proudly show that their olive oil, which they have invested so much love, dedication, and labor in their olive groves will bring joy and health to all those who consume it!
Whether you want to visit an ancient olive press thousands of years old and make olive oil just like they did in biblical times; meet one of Israel’s most famous olive oil producers, whose products are available at Israel Cart, or wander through acres of beautiful olive groves, in Israel, you can do so!
Get your bags packed, put on your hiking boots, and get ready to explore the must-visit places in the Holy Land where you can experience the story of olives and olive oil up close!
And we don’t skimp on quality, either. There are olive oil associations and quality stickers that producers strive to qualify their olive oil for to proudly show that their olive oil, which they have invested so much love, dedication, and labor in their olive groves will bring joy and health to all those who consume it!
Whether you want to visit an ancient olive press thousands of years old and make olive oil just like they did in biblical times; meet one of Israel’s most famous olive oil producers, whose products are available at Israel Cart, or wander through acres of beautiful olive groves, in Israel, you can do so!
Get your bags packed, put on your hiking boots, and get ready to explore the must-visit places in the Holy Land where you can experience the story of olives and olive oil up close!
At this stunning biblical nature reserve, you can experience the Bible come to life in front of your very own eyes! Get lost in the trails lined with thousands of plants referenced to in the Talmud and the Seven Species of which olives are one of them. You can also take part in hands-on activities to get a sample of what life was like in the Holy Land during Biblical times, including producing olive oil!
Take a deep breath as you step up to the ancient on-site olive press, you are going to be lifting a very heavy stone, with which to crush the olives. Place the olives within the limestone basin and then lift and turn the crushing stone to produce the pulp. Next, you will scrape the olive pulp into woven baskets made of date fibers. These baskets will then be weighed down which will cause the oil to separate from the pulp and seep out through the baskets. It might be a bit bitter, but you have just produced your very own olive oil with an olive press that was used hundreds if not thousands of years ago.
Take a deep breath as you step up to the ancient on-site olive press, you are going to be lifting a very heavy stone, with which to crush the olives. Place the olives within the limestone basin and then lift and turn the crushing stone to produce the pulp. Next, you will scrape the olive pulp into woven baskets made of date fibers. These baskets will then be weighed down which will cause the oil to separate from the pulp and seep out through the baskets. It might be a bit bitter, but you have just produced your very own olive oil with an olive press that was used hundreds if not thousands of years ago.
“For the L‑rd your G‑d is bringing you to a good land, a land with brooks of water . . . a land of wheat and barley, [grape] vines and figs and pomegranates, a land of oil-producing olives and honey [from dates] . . .”
Deutronemy 8:8
1. Neot Kedumim
The Mount of Olives lies between the Judean Desert and Jerusalem, located just East of the Old City. Its name comes from the mass of olive trees that once covered the mountain. The Mount of Olives is central to Judaism, it is the holiest place on earth, from which the most significant and important events concerning the Jewish people in the past, to the present, and will be in the future, took place.
It is said that the dove, which returned to Noah’s ark with an olive branch, brought it from the Mount of Olives. The oil for anointing kings and high priests was produced from the olive trees grown here, which led to another name for the mount, the Mount of Anointing. Other significant events located at the Mount of Olives were the purification ceremony of the Red Heifer and the torch lighting ceremony, which announced the new Jewish month. Today, the largest Jewish cemetery in the world is on the Mount of Olives, where the tombs of the great sages and leaders of Israel are buried. So holy is the Mount of Olives that the events of the Messianic Era will begin here!
At the foot of the Mount of Olives lies a garden of ancient olive trees, one of them dated to be over 900 years old. The name of the garden is Gethsemane, which in Aramaic means ‘oil press’!
It is said that the dove, which returned to Noah’s ark with an olive branch, brought it from the Mount of Olives. The oil for anointing kings and high priests was produced from the olive trees grown here, which led to another name for the mount, the Mount of Anointing. Other significant events located at the Mount of Olives were the purification ceremony of the Red Heifer and the torch lighting ceremony, which announced the new Jewish month. Today, the largest Jewish cemetery in the world is on the Mount of Olives, where the tombs of the great sages and leaders of Israel are buried. So holy is the Mount of Olives that the events of the Messianic Era will begin here!
At the foot of the Mount of Olives lies a garden of ancient olive trees, one of them dated to be over 900 years old. The name of the garden is Gethsemane, which in Aramaic means ‘oil press’!
And on that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem from the east.
Zechariah - Chapter 14:4
2. Mount of Olives
There is a quaint little village located on the edge of the Jerusalem Forest, a perfect place to take a stroll among the enchanting green nature. The name of this place is Beit Zayit, ‘The House of Olives’. It gets its name in recognition of the beautiful olive groves that surround the village. Here, the wonders of the mighty olive are deeply valued. Members of the village have planted hundreds of olive trees in their private gardens and during the olive harvesting season, the smell of pure olive oil hangs in the air. One of the highlights is the Beit Zayit Reservoir, which fills up during the winter months, and the beautiful olive trees that cover the area! And don’t forget to visit the Derech Hagefen Cafe in the village for a delicious meal where you can sample some fine local olive oil to soak up with a slice of fresh, crunchy artisanal bread.
3. Beit Zayit
Taste the purity of Israel’s olive oil, and sample the essence of a process thousands of years old.
Across the Holy Land, Israel’s olive oil producers are tapping into the very same pioneering spirit of their biblical ancestors, toiling for days to make the olive oil flow once again. In some cases, olive oil is being produced in the very same regions where ancient olive presses still stand, like in the Galilee region where thousands of years ago, the tribe of Asher produced their superior olive oil from the abundance of olive trees that God blessed them with.
At Israel Cart, the producers we work with are men and women deeply connected to the soil of the Holy Land. They breathe life into areas left barren with their potential untapped for thousands of years. Today, however, they wait for you among their olive groves, to welcome you, just like the agent who came to purchase olive oil on behalf of the people of Laodicea, to their estates, to host you for a personal tour and an olive oil and wine tasting session set amongst the beautiful surroundings of the Land of Israel. Some of our favorite places to visit are our friends at the Tura winery in Rechelim in Samaria, Kerem Yerucham in the Negev Desert and Carma Olive Press in the Judean Desert, whose superior olive oils are all available to purchase at Israel Cart, Of course, after you have tasted their delicious olive oil, you won’t want anything else!
At Israel Cart, the producers we work with are men and women deeply connected to the soil of the Holy Land. They breathe life into areas left barren with their potential untapped for thousands of years. Today, however, they wait for you among their olive groves, to welcome you, just like the agent who came to purchase olive oil on behalf of the people of Laodicea, to their estates, to host you for a personal tour and an olive oil and wine tasting session set amongst the beautiful surroundings of the Land of Israel. Some of our favorite places to visit are our friends at the Tura winery in Rechelim in Samaria, Kerem Yerucham in the Negev Desert and Carma Olive Press in the Judean Desert, whose superior olive oils are all available to purchase at Israel Cart, Of course, after you have tasted their delicious olive oil, you won’t want anything else!
Tura winery
Thanks to Tura winery, olive oil is once again being produced in Shiloh, just like during the times of the Holy Tabernacle when the Menorah was illuminated with superior olive oil produced in the region's olive groves. Vered & Erez Ben-Saadon have dedicated themselves to producing some of the purest olive oil in the Land, so pure in fact that it would have qualified for use in the Holy Tabernacle! Whereas most high-quality olive oils have an acidity level of around 0.5%, Tura’s olive oil manages to stay at 0.3%! It’s no wonder their olive oil has won numerous awards. You can purchase your very own bottle of Tura’s award-winning olive oil in Israel Cart’s online store.
Carma Olive Oil
Over in Mishor Adumim, in the Judean Desert, Boaz Ido has dedicated many years to literally bringing life back to the Holy Land. In his younger days, he took possession of an abandoned olive grove, filled with dead olive trees and bare tree stumps. Fueled by his love of the land, he spent months clearing and replanting, without losing faith that he would not succeed, even when experts told him it was impossible to save the olive grove. It seems that God shines favorably on those who show their dedication to his land, and the olive trees eventually grew and came back to life! Years later, Boaz is proudly producing a range of exquisite olive oil, available for purchase at Israel Cart, which you could rightly call olive oil fueled by miracles. For Boaz Ido and Carma Olive Oil, it seems that the miracle of oil in the Holy Land isn’t exclusive to only Judah Maccabee!
Kerem Yerucham
In keeping with miracles, at Kerem Yerucham in the Negev desert, a lush green oasis has sprouted in the town of Yerucham where Dan Goldblat and Doton Gabber have succeeded in cultivating olives from their olive groves to produce superior olive oil made with love! The region sees very little rainfall and the desert heat is intense. Yet despite these challenging conditions, these two pioneers purchased 25 acres of land at the edge of the town to make Kerem Yerucham a beautiful green reality filled with olive-bearing trees and grape vines! And it’s actually thanks to the desert soil and the climate of the Negev that gives Kerem Yerucham’s olive oil it’s incredible taste! You can sample this unique olive oil yourself at Israel Cart.
Ya’akov Haneman
As we head to our final stop, up north at the Hatsav farm in the Golan Heights, we meet Ya’akov Haneman, a man whose soul is entwined with that of the land he loves so deeply. For years, he worked with his hands in the field of agriculture and now from the small community of Nov, he and his wife Tamar put their expertise and love into creating a unique blend of olive oil made out of a combination of four olive species, all grown in Israel and available to buy at Israel Cart!
At Israel Cart, we are proud to offer you an opportunity to explore and purchase a selection of the finest olive-based products made in the Holy Land by pioneers who have dedicated their lives to harnessing the goodness and purity of the blessed olives for your benefit. From pure olive oil for consuming and cooking, to skincare and beauty products, once you use them, you will fully appreciate the significance of olives to the Land of Israel and the people!
At Israel Cart, we are proud to offer you an opportunity to explore and purchase a selection of the finest olive-based products made in the Holy Land by pioneers who have dedicated their lives to harnessing the goodness and purity of the blessed olives for your benefit. From pure olive oil for consuming and cooking, to skincare and beauty products, once you use them, you will fully appreciate the significance of olives to the Land of Israel and the people!
Today, Israel has around 81,000 acres of olive orchards producing around 16,000 tons of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) every year
From Biblical times until today...
From Biblical times until today, thousands of dedicated Jewish pioneers have worked in the olive groves, tending to millions of olive trees with a level of care as if each tree was a member of their own family. From planting seeds to watering to beating the tree to release the olives and then the painstaking process of producing the oil, which is so essential to the people of the Holy Land, it’s all made with love and commitment.
Today, with Israel Cart, you can feel the love and dedication infused into the production of these superior olive oils. When you taste olive oil from Israel, before it hits your palette, smell it, and transport yourself into the fragrant olive groves that grow in the Golan Heights, the blessed region of the Galilee, the Judean Desert, the Negev Desert, and all the other locations where olive oil is produced in Israel.
Israel Cart enables you to enjoy the finest, purest olive oil in the land, with a quality that cannot be matched anywhere else. And when you taste it, you can appreciate the value of the olives of the Holy Land and understand exactly why the agent of Laodicea traveled all over the Land of Israel in search of the source of the most superior olive oil. It is because Israel has ‘the choicest olive oil’.
Today, with Israel Cart, you can feel the love and dedication infused into the production of these superior olive oils. When you taste olive oil from Israel, before it hits your palette, smell it, and transport yourself into the fragrant olive groves that grow in the Golan Heights, the blessed region of the Galilee, the Judean Desert, the Negev Desert, and all the other locations where olive oil is produced in Israel.
Israel Cart enables you to enjoy the finest, purest olive oil in the land, with a quality that cannot be matched anywhere else. And when you taste it, you can appreciate the value of the olives of the Holy Land and understand exactly why the agent of Laodicea traveled all over the Land of Israel in search of the source of the most superior olive oil. It is because Israel has ‘the choicest olive oil’.
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