Israel on my Mind

Mandrake Seeds from Israel

2009-06-30T00:03:00.000-07:00

Dudaim - Mandrake - Mandragora officinarum

The Biblical narrative (Genesis 30:14) tells us of the

Matriarchs (Rachel and Leah) attempt to overcome infertility by the

use of a plant which in Hebrew is called "Dudaim", or in English:

Mandrake (Mandragora,Mandragora officinarum ).

We read that

the plant was gathered "in the days of wheat harvest", which here in

Israel falls between the Holidays of Passover and Shavuot- around the

months of April-May. We go out every year at this time,

crossing the hills with our flocks

The ripe fruits have an intoxicating, sweet aroma,

which only lasts a few days, until the birds and wild animals eat all

of them.

We pick the ripe fruits, dry them in the sun, and

then separate out the seeds.

How is the plant used? Here

we find a wide variety of explanations, though from studying the

biblical verses, it is clear that neither the roots or the flowers is

used. There are wise men (and wise women) here, who counsel

barren women to ingest a small quantity of the seeds (all parts of

the plant are considered toxic), with a certain timing, and with

certain intentions.

Since we have not received the above

wisdom, we can not counsel on the exact way of use.

All we can

add is that it does not seem right that the Dudaim are a fertility

drug, and that the Bible is suggesting a prescription to solve a

medical problem.

It seems that both Rachel and Leah felt that

something was lacking in the closeness of their relationship with

their husband, Jacob, which was certainly on an extremely high

spiritual level. Some barely felt lack in the synchronicity of

their emotional connection, that the mutual use of the plant with the

unique fragrance might help overcome!

You will need to search

out the appropriate wise-person on your own, but we can send you the

seeds:

www.dudaim.org

We will be glad to hear suggestions, and respond to

questions.

From the time of the Avot and

Emahot:

mutual respect, commitment, affection, love, closeness,

planting the seed, conception, pregnancy, full term, and the joy of

birth.

Jewish Jewelry

2008-09-07T23:45:00.000-07:00

How to beautify a Mitzvah… which is already beautiful?

Jewish wedding ring- hand crafted!

High in the mountains of Samaria, David and Maayan Ayash create unique Judiaica items from silver and gold- wedding rings, kiddush cups and saucers, mezuzah holders, embroidery, segulot and much more.

See their online showroom for examples, but the real thrill will be ordering your own unique design!

Judaica Jewelry

Tefidanit

2008-08-15T04:52:00.000-07:00

Tefidanit- the armored Tefillin protector!
A thoughtful gift- encouraging the Bar Mitzvah to take his Tefillin with him always,
while protecting them from damage, rain, etc.,
even on trips and hikes!

Encourages performing the Mitzvah,
while safeguarding the investment!

Recommended by thousands of IDF soldiers!

click for more info on Tefidanit

Tefillin Mezuzot

Why is Joseph buried in Shechem, the largest Arab city in Israel?

2008-08-15T02:46:00.000-07:00

Of course, the Bible says:

Joshua 24:32
And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in the parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money; and they became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.

When we visit the remains of the site after the PLO burned it some 8 years ago, we find it in the middle of an Arab city:

But if you could only see how the site looked just 100 years ago, you would understand that Joseph has be sitting there patiently in Shechem for thousands of years, waiting for his people to return... and there are those who have come here less than 100 years ago:

Kever Yoseph = Joseph's Tomb in Shechem

More about Joseph in Shechem here.

Rappelling in Israel

2008-08-12T23:08:00.000-07:00

Being here, walking the Land, touring- are all positive methods of building the connection.

Some people have a more extreme approach:
Climb up, rappel down, jeep across. To learn how, or to experience, check out:
Ashdot

Rappelling trails (suitable specifically for groups):

Southern Israel:
Tamar Canyon: a short, beautiful hiking trail in a majestic canyon containing a 20-meter cliff (with an adjacent ladder). Recommended season: all year.

Rachaf Canyon: a beautiful canyon in the South Judean Desert that features two trails. The long trail boasts nine 28-meter cliffs for rappelling. In addition, there are water pools for some light swimming. Recommended season: May - August.

Tamarim Canyon: a canyon with more than four 50-meter cliffs. Recommended season: all year except when flood warnings are issued.

Tur: a canyon in the Judean Desert with more than three 70-meter cliffs; advised for those with previous rappelling experience. Recommended season: all year except when flood warnings are issued.

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Shomer Shabbat Tour Guides
Israel Rappelling

Community is Important

2008-08-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

The Yehudim have returned to the Land (to stay), and our corner of this project is the Shomron (Samaria), and more specifically the new communities around the biblical city of Shechem (in Hebrew, this are is known as "Gav HaHar"= backbone of the mountain).

In addition to holding down a homestead here (house and farm), for more than a decade we have built and run the internet portal for all the local communities:

Sharei Shechem (Gates of Shechem)

Check it out!

Hello world!

2008-08-12T06:46:00.000-07:00

Everyone has to start somewhere...
Here I would like to present several important subjects which all connect, somehow, to Eretz Yisrael.