Scents of Israel
Israel has an abundance of fauna and flora throughout its land, including 90 different indigenous Israeli plants. Plants have an essential meaning in Jewish History. There are over 100 plants mentioned in the Old Testament and about 400 that are mentioned in the Talmud and Mishnah.
Israeli Incense
The use of incense dates back to the time of the Tabernacle. Incense was used in religious ceremonies, purification, aromatherapy and meditation and comprised of plant matter combined with essential oils.
In the book of Exodus the recipe is described:
And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto yourself sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And you shall make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together [salted], pure and holy: And you shall beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with you: it shall be unto you most holy. And as for the perfume which you shall make, you shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto you holy for the LORD. Whosoever shall make like unto it, to enjoy the smell thereof, shall even be cut off from his people. (Exodus 30:34-38; 37:29.)
An Incense altar was located in the Temple and the sacred incense known as Ketoret was burned early in the morning and evening of each day.
Priests called Cohanim would use certain plants for incense in the Temple on various holidays and special occasions.
Our ancestors used plants as Leket, Shikhehah, Pe'Ah, after each harvest a certain amount was to be taken to be given to the poor.
Plants were mentioned in the new testament and many plants have become symbols in the Christian world such as Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum), Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum).
The Seven Species of Israel are 7 agricultural products mentioned in the bible and are wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olive oil and honey. These fruits and grains are used at certain times of the year as symbols for the season or the holiday.
"A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey." (Deuteronomy 8:8)
Figs, pomegranates and dates are common ingredients of Israeli Cuisine today.
Perfumes and Soaps
The Jesus Boat store selection of Israeli Perfume’s for Men and Woman are made from organic plants and each perfume has a unique combination of flowers and plant essences mentioned in the bible. Such as Myrrh, Rose of Sharon, Narcissus, Mandarin, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley.
The Light of Jerusalem Perfume is filled with the essence of Spikenard and Saffron, Calamus and Cinnamon and from the trees of Frankincense and Myrrh along with aloe, creating a unique scent from the Holy Land.
Israeli Olive Oil soaps are made from pure olive oil and harvested from local Israeli farms. As you travel the Israeli countryside you will see an abundance of Olive Trees decorating the hill sides.
The Jesus Boat store offers a wide variety of Holy Land Perfumes, Cologne’s and Soaps for you to enjoy. Come visit JesusBoat.com, the website of the original Jesus Boat Store.
