Seven Species

The Hebrew Bible describes Israel as a land blessed with seven fruits and grains:

"a land of wheat and barley, and (grape) vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of olive-trees and (date) honey." (Deuteronomy 8:8)

These seven fruits and grains are called the seven species (shivat haminim). While many other fruits and grains can be found in Israel, the seven species have special status.

 

The Seven Species include:  wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.  The Seven Species are considered more important than other fruits or grains, and as such a special blessing is recited after eating them. Additionally, the blessing recited prior to eating any of these fruits or grains precedes those of all other food items aside from bread.

The pomegranate is a fruit which was sacred to the Ancient Israelites, and as such many religious implements were decorated with its likeness.  Both the Temple of Solomon and the hems of the robes of the High Priests were adorned with pomegranate artwork. The pomegranate represents wisdom, and it is said that the fruit bears exactly 613 seeds – one for each of the 613 commandments found in the Hebrew Bible. Additionally, the fruit is an emblem of fertility.  It is one of the seven species of fruit and grain which the Bible lists as being special products of the land of Israel.