Israel's History - a Picture a Day - Tu B'Shvat Special: The Trees of the Land of Israel

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta)

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Tu B'Shvat Special: The Trees of the Land of Israel Posted: 10 Feb 2017 04:32 AM PST Pomegranate tree, hand-colored photo (circa 1900-1920) The photographers of the American Colony Photographic Department traveled the length and breadth of the Holy Land and the Middle East, from Damascus to Cairo, Malta to Iraq.  Date palm tree (circa 1900-1920) Click on pictures to enlarge. Click on captions to view the originals.  Olive trees. Click here for more. Click here to see original black and white Almond tree. See original in black and white They were also fond of photographing the flora of the land of the Bible and providing the botanical genus name. Facing the 1915 plague of locusts that hit with Biblical proportions, the photographers documented the life cycle and devastating results of the swarms. "Cactus figs," called today cactus pears or "sabras" Carob tree On the eve of Tu B'Shvat, the traditional New Year for trees, we present this collection of photos of trees taken between 1900 and 1920. Some of the pictures were hand-colored 25-30 years later. Acacia (Shetim) tree in the desert Gnarled trunk of a sycamore tree   Pine trees (circa 1900)

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta) Tu B'Shvat, the Jewish New Year for Trees

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta)

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Tu B'Shvat, the Jewish New Year for Trees, Is Celebrated on Saturday Posted: 06 Feb 2017 Reforested hills along the road from Jaffa to Jerusalem, near Bab el-Wad, or Sha'ar HaGuy (circa 1930) Reposting Tu B'Shvat features from February 1912. The Jewish National Fund was established in 1901 to purchase and develop land in the Holy Land.   Planting trees on the barren hills on the way to Jerusalem (circa 1930) A government tree nursery on Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem (circa 1930) One major activity of the JNF, or in Hebrew the Keren Kayemet LeYisrael, was the planting of trees on Jewish-owned land in Palestine. Many a Jewish home had the iconic JNF blue charity box, or pushke, in order to buy trees.  In its history, the JNF is responsible for planting almost a quarter of a billion trees. The photographers of the American Colony recorded the JNF's efforts. "Afforestation sponsored by Keren Kayemeth" (circa 1935) Reforested hillside along the road to Jerusalem. "Demonstrating reforestation possibilities" (circa 1930) The day chosen for school children and volunteers to go out to the fields and barren hilltops to plant trees was Tu B'Shvat, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat, a date assigned thousands of years ago in the Mishna for the purposes of determining the age of a tree and its tithing requirements.  Indeed, the date usually coincides with the first blossoms on the almond trees in Israel.  Today, Tu B'Shvat is commemorated as a combination of Arbor Day, environment-protection day, a kibbutz agricultural holiday, and, of course, a day for school outings and plantings. Postscript Ceremony of planting the King's tree (1935) at Nahalal In 1935, the Jews of Britain and the JNF established a "Jubilee Forest" near Nazareth.  According to the Jewish Telegraph Agency's account at the time, an "oriental cypress tree presented by King George V of England to the Jubilee Forest in the hills of Nazareth will be formally planted by High Commissioner Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope on December 19." "The Jubilee Forest is British Jewry's mark of loyalty and devotion to the throne, expressed on the occasion of the royal couple's twenty-fifth jubilee. It will cover a large area of desolate and barren land on the hills of Nazareth which in ancient times were famed for their forest beauty. The forest constitutes the most important effort in reforestation of the Holy Land." Next, the trees of Eretz Yisrael

Say This Blessing Now ✡ "Goodly Trees to Give Mankind Pleasure" - ISRAEL365

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has made nothing lacking in His world, and created in it goodly creatures and goodly trees to give mankind pleasure. Blessing Upon Seeing Blooming Fruit Tree   בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁלֹּא חִסַּר בְּעוֹלָמוֹ כְּלוּם וּבָרָא בוֹ בְּרִיּוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְאִילָנוֹת טוֹבוֹת לֵהָנוֹת בָּהֶם בְּנֵי אָדָם ברכת האילנות ba-rukh a-ta a-do-nai e-lo-hay-nu me-lekh ha-o-lam she-lo khi-sayr b'-o-la-mo klum u-va-ra vo bri-yot to-vot v'-ee-la-not to-vot lay-ha-not ba-hem b'-nay a-dam

Jerusalem Inspiration During the entire Hebrew month of Nissan there is a special mitzvah, commandment, to make a blessing upon seeing the blossoming of fruit trees.  As it is the start of spring and the trees have been bare all winter, we are instructed to recite this blessing of praise expressing our awe and admiration for the renewal of life in nature.  Celebrate the season of renewal by planting a tree in Israel. Put your roots in the holy land today » Come Sing in Israel and Plant a Tree Contestants in Eurovision 2016 – a worldwide singing competition – come to Israel to plant trees with KKL-JNF.   Watch here » The Golan Heights is Not Under Negotiation In a recent cabinet meeting, Netanyahu pointed out that the Golan is Israel’s ancient heritage, calling it an “integral part of the Land of Israel in ancient times.”   Read more » Pomegranate Necklace Made With Roman Glass The Rimon (Hebrew for pomegranate) Necklace is a blue and green Roman Glass ensconced in a beautiful Sterling Silver pomegranate. Roman Glass was discovered during archaeological digs in Israel and date back to the Roman era, nearly 2,000 years ago. Thanks to the perfect balance of geological and climatic conditions, Israel is one of the few places in the world that was able to form and preserve the amazing colorful glass. Get this beautiful necklace » Jerusalem Daily Photo Blossoming almond trees in the land of Israel.  The almond tree is one of the first trees to start to show blossoms at the close of the rainy season.   See more photos by Boruch Len » Thank You Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel! Sponsor a day in honor of a loved one » “Faithfulness and Insight into Israel365” It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send mean email and let me know how you are enjoying Jerusalem365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).   Stay in Touch »   Thank you, Rabbi, for your regular uplifting communications. Israel is a hope for the world and may God continue to bless Israel, 70 years after He led you to freedom again. Gilbert Franzen of Luxembourg Rabbi Tuly, Thank you for your faithfulness and insight into Israel365. I enjoy it every day. To God be the glory. - Farrel Villejoin Blessing from Jerusalem, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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New Year for the Trees! ✡ "He Placed Him in the Garden of Eden" - ISRAEL365

Now the Lord God took the man, and He placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and to guard it. GENESIS (2:15)   וַיִּקַּח יְ-הֹוָה אֱ-לֹהִים אֶת הָאָדָם וַיַּנִּחֵהוּ בְגַן עֵדֶן לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ בראשית ב:טו va-yi-kakh a-do-nai e-lo-heem et ha-a-dam va-ya-ni-khay-hu b'-gan ay-den l'av-da u-l'-sham-ra

Today's Israel Inspiration The opening of Genesis outlines God’s intimate involvement with the natural world and describes the Almighty proudly looking upon His handiwork and declaring, “v’hine tov meod” - “and behold, it was very good.” Man is created and is immediately charged with caring for creation, as an “oved,” a worker who builds and crafts, as well as a “shomer,” a watchman who is obligated to keep the world whole for its true Owner. Tonight is the wonderful festival of Tu B'Shvat, the New Year for the Trees, when we renew our biblical commitment to guard and protect His beautiful world. Celebrate this environmental holiday by planting a tree in the Land of Israel! Plant a tree and receive a meaningful certificate » It's Your World A beautiful message for Tu B'Shvat about taking responsibility for the earth. Watch here » Israelis Celebrate Tu B'Shvat, a Jewish Arbor Day In Israel, Tu B’Shvat is like a Jewish Arbor Day. Environmental awareness programs abound and thousands of trees are planted throughout the country. Read more » Shivat Shea Body Lotion with Fig Oil Over the centuries, many have sought to explain the special significance of the ‘Seven Species,’ known as the שבעת המינים in Hebrew (shee-VAT ha-mee-NEEM). Each one contains healthful nutrients that benefit the body and promote wellness. Shivat Natural Cosmetics combine all-natural ingredients and extracts of the Seven Species to bring you skin-supportive cleansing soaps and beauty products that bring you closer not only to nature, but also to the Holy Land. The fig is a symbol of longevity and vitality. Legendary for its medicinal effects, the fig is rich in vitamins that can alleviate skin dryness and acne. It is also rich in antioxidants that fight the damaging effects of environmental pollutants. Get this Great Deal » Today's Israel Photo A beautiful vineyard in the Land of Israel by Boruch Len. See more photos by Boruch Len » Thank You Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Charlotte York of Rock, West Virginia. Todah rabah!   Sponsor a day and receive a free devotional book » “Very Inspirational!! Thank You!” It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365!   Stay in Touch » Very inspirational!! Thank you!! Timothy Estes I appreciate your emails. Thanks a lot. I live in Carmarthen, S.Wales UK. Shalom and Blessings to you all. Elaine P. I am from New Zealand, a Filipino-born. Thank you for the information. Joey Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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Fall - One of the Lord's Beautiful Seasons - Photos by Steve Martin, Charlotte NC

"All Consuming Fire of the Holy Spirit"

Camp fire - Oct. 24, 2015

Photo by Steve Martin

Fall - One of the Lord's Beautiful Seasons

 - Photos by Steve Martin

Charlotte NC

Oct. 25, 2015

(iPhone 5)

Gourds - make great shakers!

 

Always one in the crowd...

The $2.00 bunch.

An original watchman.

Reminds me of the Holy Trinity - 3 in one.

God the Father, Son Jesus (Yeshua) and Holy Spirit