Israel.
As sweet as honey!
As sweet as honey!
Taste of Israel History
Content
Within the Bible, there are only TWO specific references to bees' honey, one in the story involving the Judge and leader of Israel, the mighty Samson, and the second with Jonathan, the son of King Saul.
In both cases, honey was discovered in the wild, in nature, and forests. Wild bee honey at the time was considered a delicacy, usually served only to the esteemed and wealthy due to the lengthy production process, which involved much labor and specialist equipment. Today, technology has increased the output of delicious honey from bees, but it is still a time-consuming craft that only rewards Israel's patient and dedicated beekeepers!
From Biblical times until today, along with the date honey (silan) farmers, the beekeepers of the Holy Land are providing living proof of “a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Deut. 31:20).
A story involving Mussa (Moshe) Goldenberg, a Zionist pioneer, attests to the ancient and timeless practice of bee-keeping and honey production in the Holy Land.
In the early Twentieth Century, when the Zionist settlement movement was in full swing, Mussa visited a local Arab village called Samariya, located just south of Tel Rechov (keep this name stored in your memory as we will be revealing some fascinating history for you later on!). He was there as a representative of the new Jordan Valley community of Beit Alpha, and his mission, as it was for so many of his fellow pioneers, was to rejuvenate the Land of Israel, which had fallen into a barren wasteland after centuries of neglect.
Mussa was going to create Beit Alpha’s very own bee-keeping industry. As he approached the local beekeepers, he noticed the structures used to enclose the bees and the techniques and processes utilized to extract the golden honey from the beehives. When the sellers provided him with his beehives, he saw that they were grown in clay drums and laid out as a wall, exactly as was done thousands of years ago at the Tel Rehov apiary, all the way back to the 9th and 10th centuries. Mussa had now discovered the knowledge of an ancient practice that has been passed down from generation to generation within the Holy Land, and he was now ready to make a vital contribution to making the Land of Israel flow with honey once again!
From the Bible and scriptures until modern times, bee honey has been used not only as a delicacy but also for its many health benefits and in the beauty and skincare industry! Join us for a sweet journey of discovery through the Land of Milk and Honey!
Honey in the Ancient Holy Land
"Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness."
(Judges. 14:14)
These were the words of the riddle that Samson, the mighty Judge and leader of Israel, shared with a group of thirty Philistine guests at his wedding. The background of the riddle is that Samson had previously overcome a lion that had attacked him near the town of Timnah in southern Israel. The next time he passed by, on the way to his wedding, Samson noticed the lion carcass was now filled with a beehive, of which he ate the honey and took some for himself. The guests struggled with the riddle, so they spoke to Samson’s Philistine wife and persuaded her to get Samson to reveal the answer and pass it on to them.
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.
Eventually, she succeeded, and the guests returned to Samson with their response to his riddle: "What is sweeter than honey; what is stronger than a lion?" (Judges. 14). The answer was the honey bees!
There is a story about Jonathan, son of King Saul and loyal friend to David. At the time, the powerful Philistine army was camped at Michmash, located northeast of Jerusalem, and preparing to attack the Israelites. Jonathan, with deep faith in God, bravely took the initiative. Together with his arm’s bearer, they secretly climbed up to the Philistine outpost and attacked, killing 20 Philistines, which spread panic and fear among the enemy. Many miracles occurred during the battle, and King Saul and his troops joined in, successfully causing the Philistines to flee. With the battle incomplete, Saul impulsively cursed anybody who eats to be punishable by death, as he wanted his soldiers entirely focused on finishing the job.
Jonathan, however, was not present when Saul made his oath. He consumed some of the honey he had found in the field, and instantly, from the moment the sweet golden honey entered his mouth, his eyes lit up, and he felt a burst of renewed energy and strength. In mere moments, the battle-fatigued Jonathan had been completely revitalized and ready to complete the mission against the Philistines. Hearing of his father’s ban against eating, Jonathan argued, exclaiming how much more successful they would have been had Saul not banned his soldiers from eating, “And Jonathan said, "My father has perturbed the land. See now that my eyes have brightened, for I have tasted a little of this honey.” (Samuel 1 - 14:29)
In the book of Proverbs, written by King Solomon, there are clear references to the benefits of consuming bees honey - in moderation! “My son, eat thou honey, for it is good, And the honeycomb is sweet to thy taste.” (Proverbs 24:13) and “It is not good to eat much honey …” (Proverbs 25:27).
The famed physician and renowned philosopher Rambam, Moses ben Maimon, who lived throughout the Middle Ages, provided a number of insights about the use of honey in diet and health. He writes that honey is a good aid for digestion and, when used in moderation, contributes to overall good health. For elderly people, he recommended a daily dose of honey while also warning not to overconsume it, just like King Solomon advised years before.
The famed physician and renowned philosopher Rambam, Moses ben Maimon, who lived throughout the Middle Ages, provided a number of insights about the use of honey in diet and health. He writes that honey is a good aid for digestion and, when used in moderation, contributes to overall good health. For elderly people, he recommended a daily dose of honey while also warning not to overconsume it, just like King Solomon advised years before.
You may have heard from established medical sources that it is dangerous to give honey to babies under the age of 1 because it can cause a type of food poisoning called botulism. But this isn’t news to us because Rambam already wrote about it thousands of years ago!
From the time of the Prophet Ezekiel, we can already see that the Holy Land had a thriving honey industry. It features alongside the prominent and frequently traded produce of Israel, among them wheat, oil, and balm.
A fascinating archeological discovery made in Tel Rehov, northern Israel, in 2007 confirms the evidence of Israel's bee honey industry.
A fascinating archeological discovery made in Tel Rehov, northern Israel, in 2007 confirms the evidence of Israel's bee honey industry.
Judea and the land of Israel-they are your peddlers; with wheat of Minnith, balsam trees, honey, oil, and balm, they gave your necessities.
Ezekiel 27:17
The world's oldest beehive collection - discovered at Tel Rehov!
In 2007, Israeli archaeologist Prof. Amihai Mazar traveled to northern Israel to the Jordan Valley, where the archeological site of Tel Rehov lies. The site had already become known as a treasure trove, where many artifacts from Biblical times, dated to the 9th and 10th centuries BCE, were discovered through excavations conducted between 1997 and 2012.
Prof Mazar led his team, digging and sifting through the massive mound. Carefully, they began unraveling numerous structures that made up an urban living quarter, and there, lying in the center was the ultimate discovery.
Prof Mazar led his team, digging and sifting through the massive mound. Carefully, they began unraveling numerous structures that made up an urban living quarter, and there, lying in the center was the ultimate discovery.
They came upon a large apiary, a collection of beehives that had been well preserved over the generations. Thirty intact beehives were found, and according to Prof Mazar’s report, they were dated to a period near the end of the rule of King Solomon and the early kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The apiary found at Tel Rehov is considered to be the oldest in the entire world, at around 3,000 years old!
Picture the scene at the apiary as hundreds of thousands of honey bees buzz around, gathering nectar from local flowers (highly likely the same species of flora still in the region today!). They return to the Tel Rehov apiary and fly through the tiny holes cut into the bottom of the ancient beehives, a hollow cylinder made of straw and unbaked clay. Once inside, the bees convert the nectar into delectable honey, which they store in the honeycomb cells until ready. Finally, the doting ancient beekeepers lift the handle of the clay lids of the beehive and delicately extract the honey while ensuring they don’t disturb the bee colonies that provide them with such goodness and wealth.
While only 30 beehives remained intact, Prof Mazar’s team calculated that there could have been as many as 180 beehives in total, meaning that the apiary was most certainly used for industrial purposes. They estimated that the Tel Rehov apiary would have produced at least 500 kg of honey and 50-70 kg of beeswax a year, giving them plenty of extra honey with which to sell and trade after keeping aside enough for personal use.
Picture the scene at the apiary as hundreds of thousands of honey bees buzz around, gathering nectar from local flowers (highly likely the same species of flora still in the region today!). They return to the Tel Rehov apiary and fly through the tiny holes cut into the bottom of the ancient beehives, a hollow cylinder made of straw and unbaked clay. Once inside, the bees convert the nectar into delectable honey, which they store in the honeycomb cells until ready. Finally, the doting ancient beekeepers lift the handle of the clay lids of the beehive and delicately extract the honey while ensuring they don’t disturb the bee colonies that provide them with such goodness and wealth.
While only 30 beehives remained intact, Prof Mazar’s team calculated that there could have been as many as 180 beehives in total, meaning that the apiary was most certainly used for industrial purposes. They estimated that the Tel Rehov apiary would have produced at least 500 kg of honey and 50-70 kg of beeswax a year, giving them plenty of extra honey with which to sell and trade after keeping aside enough for personal use.
Another fascinating find was some clumps of black material in one of the hives, a result of a fire that ultimately destroyed the apiary. Using a special microscope, they saw the remains of both honeycombs and bees, including wings and legs! The team had also discovered the world’s oldest bee remains!
The Symbolism of Honey in Judaism
On Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, it is a tradition to wish each other a sweet new year. In the evening, at the festive family meals, we prepare a Seder in which a variety of symbolic foods are eaten with blessings recited over them. One of the most symbolic is the dipping of the apple in honey, on which we recite, “May it be Your will to renew for us a good and sweet year.” And nothing says sweeter than bees' honey from Israel!
Honey and sweetness are also representative of the Bible, with the holy Torah described in the Song of Songs "like honey and milk under your tongue" (4:11). For this reason, we also indulge in milk and honey products on the festival of Shavuot, where we mark the giving of the Torah!
Along with Rambam’s list of health benefits of moderate honey consumption, there are also other phyiscal benefits mentioned in the Bible. Among improved eyesight, “honey and sweets help restore one’s vision” and as a potential aid for memory, “Honey, too, makes one wise.”
Along with Rambam’s list of health benefits of moderate honey consumption, there are also other phyiscal benefits mentioned in the Bible. Among improved eyesight, “honey and sweets help restore one’s vision” and as a potential aid for memory, “Honey, too, makes one wise.”
Meet the Producers Reviving The Land of Milk & Honey
Israel’s modern-day beekeepers, working with around 500 apiaries (which house approximately 100,000 beehives!), produce some of the most delicious and sweet honey you could ever dream of. From the fragrant aromas that hit your senses when you open the jar to the burst of gooey sweetness as the runny honey reaches your palette, once you’ve tasted Israeli honey, you will truly appreciate why they call it the Land of Milk and Honey!
And it’s not just for eating. As we’ve discovered, honey is beneficial for both the skin and the body. It is packed with antibacterial and moisturizing properties, among many others.
And it’s not just for eating. As we’ve discovered, honey is beneficial for both the skin and the body. It is packed with antibacterial and moisturizing properties, among many others.
Let us introduce you to some of our most delicious honey-based products made by Israel’s talented beekeepers!
Up in northern Israel, in the Golan Heights, Yosef Shohat produces delicious bees honey at his apiary. In the summer, the area springs to life and is covered with an abundance of wildflowers, among them, lavender, Iris, sage and Anemone. These are the flowers that provide the foundation for Yosef’s exquisite Summer Flower Honey blend, which bursts with sweetness and a wonderful array of flavors, including lavender and citrus. Yosef has a wonderful relationship with his honey bees and is proud to share his pure, sweet and healthy Israeli honey blends with you!
From the community of Kfar Tapuah in Samaria, Shmulik Goldreich and his family raise the bees of the Holy Land to bring the sweet taste and health benefits of his honey to all. The natural wildflowers that surround his community enable Goldreichs to produce delicious 100% Pure Wildflower Honey. The family treats the bees with tender love and care and, in return, are rewarded with sweet, pure honey from the Holy Land for you to enjoy! They have also produced a Propolis Multi-Purpose Ointment, a skin-revitalizing salve that works wonders for all skin types and conditions. Propolis, also known as ‘bees glue,’ is a mixture that bees produce and is known to provide a whole range of health benefits.
Yosef Honey
Goldreichs
Among their exclusive range of organic products, the skincare experts at ADVA have produced a Natural Honey Soap that gives you all of the benefits of Israeli honey! Infused with raw honey, this luxurious hand soap is both anti-inflammatory and, at the same time, wonderfully soothing for the skin. Use it for your hands or anywhere else on your body, leaving it thoroughly cleansed and nourished. This wonderful company, owned by Shlomo and Naomi Keshet, prides itself in making products that are beneficial for all their customers while at the same time providing meaningful employment opportunities for those with learning difficulties, including their beloved son Elnatan, who lives with Down Syndrome.
ADVA
Delight in the honey-based skincare collection by natural cosmetics company Schwartz Cosmetics, founded over 60 years ago in Be’er Sheva by the late Hanan Schwartz. Today, it is Udi Schwartz who is working to provide all the sweet benefits of Israel’s wild honey to treat a whole variety of skin types! From wildflower honey, propolis, and vitamin E hand cream to revitalizing honey-enriched and vitamin-packed Face Peel and Body Butter with Honey & Propolis, and more, your skin will thank you for exposing it to the healing effects of the honey of the Holy Land!
Where better to store your delicious Israeli honey than in a handcrafted Ceramic Honey Jar made by the super-talented ceramicist Batya Erdstein? From her home studio in the community of Itamar, set among the dramatic landscapes of the Samarian hills, she has crafted this beautiful ceramic jar and finished it off with a bright handpainted pomegranate design. Fill the jar with sweet honey and place it at the center of your table for all to admire. It comes with a wooden honey dipper for easy pouring. Whether you want to use it especially for Rosh Hashanah to serve your guests apple and honey or for year-round use, this Ceramic Honey Jar will make a sweet addition from Israel to your home!
Through unique bee and honey products from the Negohot skincare company and bee farm, your skin and palette are in for a sweet treat! Their natural Yaara Revitalizing Antioxidant Eye Cream contains pure bees honey, which helps hydrate and nourish the sensitive area around your eyes, banishing the appearance of dark circles and making them feel revitalized and looking smoother as well! With all this talk about honey, the owners of Negohot, Baruch and Shimrit Foychtvanger also want to give you a sweet taste of the Holy Land from the Hebron region with a delectable Eucalyptus Flowers Honey. Taste pure and healthy honey that is both sweet and floral at the same time and can be used for a whole range of purposes, whether as a natural sweetener, for cooking, or simply eating by the spoonful!
Schwartz Cosmetics
Batya Erdstein
Negohot
In the Holy Land, if you treat the bees well, they will treat you better!
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