Parashat Ekev
The Seven Species
The seven species of the land of Israel have special medical and spiritual
properties.
By Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum
This
commentary is provided by special arrangement with Canfei Nesharim. To learn
more, visit www.canfeinesharim.org.
The
Land of Israel is described as "A land of wheat, and barley, and
vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey (Deut.
8:8)." These seven
species were the staple foods consumed by the Jewish people in the land of
Israel during biblical times. They contain special holiness, as reflected by
the unique blessing recited after eating them, thanking God for the goodness of the land.
The praise of the land of Israel for its fruit trees is a
deep environmental lesson in itself, testifying to the importance of nature and
trees in Judaism. The Bible paints the shade of the grape vine and fig tree as
a metaphor for the idyllic world peace we await.
Seven Special Fruits
Our ultimate trust in God is expressed through the serene
environment where (I Kings 5:5): "Judah and Israel will sit securely, each
person under his vine and fig tree..." As we munch on juicy grapes we are reminded that there is
no greater sign of the coming redemption than when the Land of Israel produces
fruits in abundance (Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 98a).
Moreover, the offerings of the bikkurim (first fruits) brought to the
Temple in Jerusalem on Shavuot were only from these seven species. On what
merit are these fruits selected?
Nogah Hareuveni, author of numerous books on Judaism and nature, explains that
the flowering and fruiting of the seven species take place during the period
between Passover and Shavuot, a season depending on the delicate balance
between contradictory forces of nature.
This season is characterized by climatic contrasts between extreme dryness and
heat on the one hand and cold storms on the other, which could easily be
misconceived as battles between opposing deities. Therefore, the seven species
are selected to reaffirm our pure faith in God through our
expressing thanks to the One and only God specifically for the fruits of
the Land.
The flowering and fruiting of the seven species parallel our own spiritual
development during the season between Passover and Shavuot, characterized by
self-improvement and preparation for receiving the Torah. As we count the Omer
during the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot, we turn to God in repentance and prayer. Since
the fruiting of the seven fruits is linked to our own spiritual
achievement, it is not surprising that
these seven kinds comprise a wealth of spiritual attributes, nutrients, and
medicinal properties.
The special significance of the seven species is accentuated by the
great Kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria (Arizal), who attributes the spiritual
energies of each fruit to one of the seven lower sefirot (spiritual emanations) that we count during each week of
the Omer. Their correspondence is according to the order they occur in the
Torah verse. It is interesting to note how the medical properties of the seven
species are synchronized with their spiritual energies.
Wheat
Wheat corresponds to chesed
(kindness), the first of the seven lower sefirot.
The characteristic of chesed is
expansion, to reach out and extend oneself toward others. Wheat likewise
reflects the nourishing food of kindness and to this day remains our main
sustaining food staple. According to the renowned rabbi and physician
Maimonides, wheat strengthens the body and increases mother's milk, the
ultimate nourishment and expression of chesed.
Barley
Barley corresponds to gevura
(restraint). Its characteristic is contraction, reduction, and setting
boundaries. This is reflected by each
barley seed being enclosed in a strong hull (boundary) which remains intact
even during threshing. Due to its contracting quality, barley is highly
effective in reducing liquid when added to soup. A recent study by the FDA
evidenced that barley reduces cholesterol and risk of coronary disease.
Grapes
Grapes grow in beautiful clusters and correspond to tiferet (beauty). This trait is
characterized by the balance between its different and sometimes contrary
components. Since tiferet is
the perfect balance between chesed and
gevura, grapes include both
nourishing and eliminating qualities.
Grape-seed oil nourishes the skin, while also containing a
very high content of antioxidants that help in eliminating free radicals.
Grapes possess a diuretic quality, yet they are very nutritive
replete with vitamins A, B, and C, while also treating blood and energy deficiency.
Figs
Figs correspond to netzach
(endurance), which engenders longevity. The fig tree reflects everlasting
fruitfulness as it has one of the longest periods of ripening, spanning more
than three months. Malbim explains that we
need to watch the fig tree very carefully by picking its figs daily, since they
ripen one after the other; likewise we need to observe our teachers daily in
order to glean the fruits of their wisdom. According to Maimonides, "Figs, grapes and almonds are always the best fruits whether fresh or
dried." Maimonides also taught that figs alleviate
constipation, which is one of the main tenets of longevity and health.
Figs may benefit the elderly by
strengthening the blood and arousing vitality.
Modern science affirms the nutritional benefits of figs: they are very rich in
minerals, especially potassium, iron, and calcium, and they contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Figs also contain
phytosterols, which inhibit the absorption of dietary cholesterol, thus
decreasing the total levels of cholesterol. Moreover, they may help prevent
certain types of cancers.
Pomegranates
Pomegranate, a very
beautiful and majestic fruit, even has a crown. It corresponds to hod,
which means majesty and glory. Hod is also related to the Hebrew word toda which means thanks and recognition.
According to Rav
Yitzchak Ginsburgh, hod corresponds to our immune system. A healthy
immune system is able to recognize our friends from our foes, and pomegranates boost our immune system. Pomegranate
seed oil causes cancer cells to self-destruct; the juice of the fruit is toxic
to most breast cancer cells, yet has almost no effect on healthy cells.
Pomegranate juice has also been proven to decrease heart disease by decreasing
LDL ("bad cholesterol") and increased HDL ("good
cholesterol").
Olives
Olive oil corresponds to yesod
(foundation). Olive oil is
the foundation of most Mediterranean foods. Maimonides
explains that olive oil cleanses the liver and loosens stools. Drinking a
teaspoon of olive oil every morning before eating can help prevent stones in
the urinary tract. Olive oil protects against heart disease by lowering blood
pressure, and has strong anti-bacterial properties. It also contains several antioxidants to help fight cancer.
Thus olive oil can truly be called the foundation (yesod) of life.
Dates
Dates correspond to malchut
(kingdom). Malchut is the channel
that allows everything to manifest below. Therefore malchut is connected with the digestive system. The Talmud
teaches that dates heal intestinal illnesses (Ketubot 10b).
The palm tree has no waste, its hearts are used for prayer (lulav), its
fronds for shade, its fibers for ropes, its twigs for a sieve, and its beams
for houses. Likewise the people of Israel have no waste: they each master their
own particular part of Torah learning or perform mitzvot and charitable deeds
(Genesis Rabbah, 41).
Perfecting the World
The Torah's mention of the seven species is not incidental.
Rather, these foods are central to a Jewish spiritual path that endeavors to
elevate the physical through intentional living. Eating the seven species in a
conscious way can promote our well-being, help us connect to the land of
Israel, and deepen our relationship with God. Each of the seven species
contains deep lessons about God and our spiritual lives. Every time we eat them
we have the opportunity to tune into their spiritual messages, eat consciously,
and bring the world a step closer to its perfected state.
Suggested Action Items:
1) Enjoy
flowering fruit trees and say the special blessing for them during the month of
Nissan.
2) Try to spend time in nature sitting in the shade of the vine and fig
tree (or the specific trees you have in your local environment).
3) Take advantage of the nutritional and healing properties of the seven
species of the Land, rather than relying on artificial replacements.
4) Take time
to eat consciously and focus intensely when you bless God with your full heart
before and after partaking in His seven favorite fruits.
Chana Bracha Siegelbaum, a native of Denmark, is the
founder and Director of Midreshet B’erot
Bat Ayin.
