Flowers in Israel – ישראל פרחים תמונות

The almond, Amygdalus communis, is a medium sized tree with narrow, light green leaves. The almond is highly revered in some cultures. Among the Hebrews, it was a symbol of watchfulness and promise due to its early flowering. The Almond tree is referred to in the Bible as “Shaked”, meaning “hasten”. The word “Luz”, which occurs in Genesis 30:37, and that sometimes is translated as “hazel”, is supposed to be another name for the almond. In Israel the almond tree “shekadiah,” is the first of the fruit trees to blossom, flowering in January. in honor of which the following famous song was composed:

“HaShekadiah Porachat,”

The Almond has blossomed

“VeShemesh Paz Zorachat”

And the Sun is Shining Brightly

“Tzipporim Me’Rosh kol Gag”

Birds from Every Roof-Top

“Mevasrot et Bo HaChag”

Welcome the Arrival of the Holiday.

Almonds are mentioned six times in the Scriptures. The first reference is in Genesis 43:11 where Jacob, in an apparent attempt to become a favorite with the ruler of Egypt, orders his sons to bring them some of the “best products of the land” including almonds. The best-known reference to the almond is Aaron’s rod that budded (Numbers 17:1-11). This is miracle because the flowering, budding, and fruiting of the almond in nature are always differ in time.The almond motif was part of the divine design for the lampstand in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:33-34, 37:19-20). Moses was instructed to make the bowls of the lampstand in the shape of the almond flower. The buds and fruits however,had also to be present.The reference to almonds in Ecclesiastes 12:5 could be because of the masses of white flowers on the almond tree, an allusion to the white hair of old age. Or it could mean “despised.”The last reference to the almond is in Jeremiah 1:4. “The word of the Lord came to me: ‘What do you see, Jeremiah?’ ‘I see the branch of an almond tree’, I replied.”

Christian symbolism uses the almond as a symbol of the Virgin’s purity, from Numeri 17:1-11. The almond-shaped aureole surrounding Christ or the Virgin is a Mandorla (Ital.”almond”) .