Parashat Eikev 5784

by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields

We read in Parshat Eikev, “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams and springs and fountains issuing from plain and hill; a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey.” (Deuteronomy 8:7-8). This is the origin of special products of the Land of Israel, known as the Seven Species, the Shiv’at HaMinim, Israel’s seven agricultural products: two grains and five fruits, wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olive (oil), and dates (date honey).