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What are the seven species of Israel and who mentioned them first? -

The seven species of Israel are two grains and five fruits. They are mentioned by Moses when describing the Promised Land to the children of Israel.

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Where are the seven species of Israel mentioned? -

The seven species are mentioned in Deuteronomy 8:7-8: “For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land… a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey.”

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The term “seven species” -

While the fruits and grains are mentioned in the Bible, the exact term “seven species” doesn’t appear until later Jewish texts make reference to it.

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Mishnah -

The Mishnah (the first written collection of Jewish oral traditions) states that: “First fruits are only brought from the seven species for which Israel is renowned,” (Bikkurim 1:3).

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The ritual -

The first of the seven species to emerge (e.g. the first pomegranates, olives, etc.) would be deemed first fruits and they would be offered to God in a ceremony.

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Tu B'Shevat -

While each of the seven species is celebrated at different times of the year, the Tu B’Shvat (the Jewish New Year for Trees) is the occasion when all seven species are eaten and celebrated.

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Landscape -

Look around Israel and you’ll still find a landscape dominated by these fruits and grains.

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Art themes -

The seven species are also found in other aspects of Jewish culture, including art. They are found in several pieces, from jewelry to synagogue art.

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The link with seasons -

Jewish people abandoned agriculture during the exile, but these fruits and grains remain an important element of their agricultural past. These are all celebrated in specific seasons and during certain festivities.

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Historical and spiritual value -

All seven species of Israel have both a historic and a spiritual value. Now, let’s take a look at each of them and their spiritual symbolism.

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Wheat -

Wheat (chitah) is the first of the seven species of Israel. It was, and continues to be, a staple in the region's diet.

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Wheat -

Wheat is harvested in the spring, and bread is produced for the Two Loaves offering during the harvest festival of Shavuot. Passover is also celebrated with wheat.

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Wheat -

Wheat represents God’s loving kindness as well as abundance. Psalm 147:14 reads: “He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.”

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Barley -

Barley (se’orah) is the second grain among the seven species of Israel. Barley was cheaper than wheat and considered the food of the poor.

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Barley -

The harvest occurs between two major festivals: Passover and Shavuot. The 49 days between these two holidays is known as the Counting of the Omer.

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Barley -

Barley is associated with gevurah, which translates to "restraint" or "constriction." An example includes the offering brought in the case of a woman’s suspected infidelity to her husband. “He must also take an offering of a tenth of an ephah of barley flour on her behalf. He must not pour olive oil on it or put incense on it, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, a reminder-offering to draw attention to wrongdoing,” (Numbers 5:15).

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Grapes -

Grapes (gefen) are the first fruit of the seven species. Not only are they eaten as fruit, but grapes are also used to make wine, an important drink in Jewish traditions.

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Grapes -

Grapes symbolize tiferet or harmony. They are also associated with tranquility, abundance, and prosperity. Harvested in the summer, grapes (and wine) are present in all Jewish festivals.

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Grapes -

A sign of God’s gift of abundance can be found in Numbers 13:23, where grapes were so large that two men were required to carry them: “When they reached the valley of Eshkol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them.”

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Figs -

The fig symbolizes eternity (netzach), but the fig tree (te’enah) is a symbol of prosperity, vitality, passion, and wisdom.

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Figs -

The harvest of figs happens in late summer. Figs are usually celebrated in the Shavuot.

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Figs -

According to Micah 4:4: “Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.”

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Pomegranate -

Another late summer fruit, pomegranate (rimon), is one of the oldest symbols of Judaism. The fruit has grown in the region for millennia. It symbolizes glory.

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Pomegranate -

There are references to the fruit in several parts of Jewish culture. They are featured in numerous pieces, including the robes of the High Priests (Exodus 28:33).

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Pomegranate -

They are often eaten on the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah. A prayer is usually said, as follows: “May we be as full of righteous deeds as the pomegranate is full of seeds.”

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Olives -

The olive tree (zayit) has been part of the local flora for thousands of years. It has been used as food for centuries and its oil for many other things, including anointing priests and royalty, as well as lighting up lamps.

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Olives -

Olives represent foundation, or yesod. They are a symbol of strength and vitality. Psalm 52:8 reads: “I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God.”

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Olives -

The olive branch is also a symbol of peace and hope, popularized by Noah’s story. “When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth,” (Genesis 8:11-12).

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Dates -

The Bible verse about the seven species makes reference to d’vash, which is actually honey. This, however, means date honey, and not the one produced by honeybees. Exodus 3:8 tells us that Israel is “a land flowing with milk and honey.”

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Dates -

All parts of dates and the tree have their use in Jewish tradition. For instance, the closed fronds (lulav) are used for ritual prayer on the holiday of Sukkot.

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Dates -

In addition to food, the fibers of dates are also used to make rope, and the tree trunks used in construction. Dates represent royalty (malchu).

Sources: (International Fellowship of Christian and Jews) (My Jewish Learning) (Bible Gateway) 

See also: Utensils and eating etiquette around the world

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