Olives in Israel

In Israel we have 7 different kinds of olives: the Syrian, the Pikooal, the Manzanilo, the Kalamata, the Pisholan, tha Barnea and Ma’a lot. Some of them are for oil, like the Ma’alot, Some of them are for eating, like the Syrian, and some of them are for both, like the Pisholan.

The bible mentioned the olives few times, and so did Greek mythology.

In the holy temple, the lamps used to use olive oil for burning.

In Greece mythology, olive’s leaves were symbols of honor and power.

One of the oil makers in Israel is “Yavne team” that was built 60 years ago.

They are using the Syrian, Pikooal and the Manzanilo for oil.

They can create 30 tons of oil per one day of work!

The quality of the olives in Israel is great. Yet I believe that my opinion doesn’t count because I hate eating olives (but I have no problem with the oil J).

My classmates and I went to “Moshav Nettaim” to pick up some olives (some of us - the ones that had nothing else to do – simply threw olives at each  other) and then we made them eatable on the farm.

The story about the tree’s kingdom

Once upon a time, the trees argued with the other trees - who should be the king?

The oak tree said: “I should be the king; I have powerful branches that can defeat all of you!”

Then the bonsai tree said: “But I, the little one, can make you all fall from your feet, because you are big and clumsy, but I’m not!”

And all the trees spoke except the olive tree that just stood there, quietly.

Then, the trees decided to call for the big cleric, in order to decide which tree is better.

His only action was to take them to the holy temple and then he said: “look around you, what you see?”

“Lamps” answer the trees.

“And what do the lamps use for burning?” asked the cleric.

“Oil” answered the trees.

“Ho, but what kind of oil?” the cleric asked them again.

“Olive oil” finally the trees understood the clerics meaning.

From then on, and until today, the olive tree is the king- and it always will be.

By Alon