Jerusalem: Olive Tree
Jerusalem. The olive, one of the seven species with which the Land of Israel was blessed, along with “wheat and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey” (Deuteronomy 8:8). The olive tree is an evergreen, whose leaves shine like silver sparks when the wind passes through them. The olive branch has symbolized peace ever since the story of the Flood. The olives are eaten or used to produce oil, which served in ancient times for lighting, cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Today, too, olive oil is considered an important element in healthy nutrition. The wood of the olive tree is used in the production of furniture and other items, an also for wood carving.
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