On the Way to the Olive Press

Strolling the hills of the Galilee | 4 Tevet 5777 Having trouble seeing this email? View it in your browser I am come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. Song of Songs 5:1 (The Israel Bible™)   בָּאתִי לְגַנִּי אֲחֹתִי כַלָּה אָרִיתִי מוֹרִי עִם בְּשָׂמִי אָכַלְתִּי יַעְרִי עִם דִּבְשִׁי שָׁתִיתִי יֵינִי עִם חֲלָבִי אִכְלוּ רֵעִים שְׁתוּ וְשִׁכְרוּ דּוֹדִים שיר השירים ה:א BA-tee l’-ga-NEE a-kho-TEE kha-LAH a-REE-tee mo-REE im b’-sa-MEE a-KHAL-tee ya-REE im div-SHEE sha-TEE-tee yay-NEE im kha-la-VEE ikh-LU ray-EEM sh’-TU v’-shikh-RU do-DEEM Today's Israel Inspiration According to Rabbi David Altschuler, this verse is a metaphor for the Lord entering the Temple that the Jewish people have erected for Him, and partaking in the sacrifices that they offer to Him. The garden is a reference to the Holy Temple and the gathering of myrrh and spice is the acceptance of the incense offering that is brought in His honor. God “eats” and “drinks” the offerings and libations by means of a fire which descends from heaven to consume them. Finally, He calls upon his “friends”, the loyal priests, to partake in their share of the sacrifices. While this is truly an anthropomorphic understanding of the verse, given that God cannot eat nor drink, the meaning is clear: that the Lord wishes to share the rich ingredients with His beloved nation, even those who are not within immediate reach. Perhaps, then, we can understand that He looks to those living in Israel to spread the tastes with people all over the world. Using their specialized shipping system, Galilee Green preserves each delicious drop of their Holy Land olive oil, ensuring everyone will have the opportunity to partake in God's offerings.   Subscribe to Galilee Green and delight in pure Holy Land olive oil » On the Way to the Olive Press Chana and Nili were on the way to pick up some Galilee Green olive oil at the Degania olive press when they just had to stop and appreciate the stunning winter day as a dreamy mist hovered over the Sea of Galilee. Watch » Why Do Jews Eat Fried Foods on Hanukkah? Have you ever wondered the significance behind jelly doughnuts and fried potato pancakes on Hanukkah? Here's your chance to learn the answer!   Read more » This Year, Resolve to Learn the Bible with a Focus on Israel.   In the past month, the UN worked at eroding the Jewish connection to Israel. With the UN security council's resolution denouncing Israel's right to Judea, Samaria and East Jerusalem (!), as well as Kerry's speech attacking Israel's connection to the Biblical Heartland, The Israel Bible has never been more important. This coming year, resolve to learn the Bible through a Biblical lens.   Learn More » Today's Israel Photo The Sea of Galilee is known in Hebrew as Kinneret. When directly translated into English, kinneret means harp or lyre, thus the name was very much inspired by the lake's unique shape.   See more photos by Noam Chen » If you enjoy your Israel365 daily email newsletter, please consider donating to one of our causes or buying products from our store and blessing the Land and the People of Israel.   Thank You to our latest Tree Donors "Todah Rabbah" to Michael Feygin from New Jersey; Carolyn & Palmer Brown from Pennsylvania; Angelina Torres from California; Stephen Noel from Florida. Plant a Tree in Israel »   Thank You to Our Holocaust Campaign Donors "Todah Rabbah" to Christine McGregor from New Zealand; Barbara Woerner from Virginia; Katherine Clement from North Carolina; Christina Tamm from Canada. Donate to Holocaust Survivors Now »   Thank you to our Israel365 Store Customers "Todah Rabbah" to Esther Chen from Taiwan; Jeanne Scealf from Texas; Bonnie Willems from BC, Canada; Tung Cheong Terence Man from Hong Kong. Shop the Israel365 Store » Thank You Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Theodore Williams from Georgia. Todah rabah!   Sponsor a day in honor of a loved one » “It Takes Me Back” It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send me an email and let me know how you are enjoying Israel365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).   Stay in Touch » I am so glad I found this site. Each day I look forward to "seeing what is new,” and I am loving the pictures. I was in Israel in March of 2006 during Purim. I felt like I had come home. Reading the Bible each day has been such a joy, as each time I seem to read about a place I visited in Israel and it takes me back as if I were standing in the places again. Debbie J., Arizona Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com