What Is Unique About the Fruits of Eretz Yisrael? | Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Beit Midrash

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קטגוריה משנית

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Parashat Hashavua Series'Library Piskei Din (Hebrew)Test Yourself

The fruits of Israel have special qualities, specifically the "7 Minim" (types) listed in parshat Ekev: Wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives & date (honey). These fruits create Kedusha within us & enhance our love of Hashem & Israel. Each type of fruit symbolizes a different aspect of the Jewish People: the pomegranate/rimon, is filled with many (613?) seeds, just as each Jew is chock-full of merits; grapes bring people to higher levels of joy, just as we Jews bring joy to our G-d; olives must be crushed to produce its pure, holy oil, even as we endure crushing difficulties yet produce purity & holiness, etc. The last letters of "zavat chalav u’dvash, a land flowing with milk & honey," form the word Shabbat. Just as Hashem infused one special day with unique holiness & a special mode of behavior, so, too, G-d declares one land only - Israel - more unique than any other, assigning to it the unique Mitzvot dependent on the land, as well as a special bracha for these 7 fruits. A special "Tu B'Shvat Seder" highlighting these fruits and the bounty of Eretz Yisrael is a wonderful custom - just google it!

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