The olive is listed in the Hebrew Bible as one of the "Seven Species" of the Land of Israel. It was not only a staple in the Israelite diet, but held great cultural and religious significance—olive oil was prized as the only pure substance for holy anointing rituals and for the Temple menorah in Jerusalem, thus giving rise to a legacy that has persisted throughout Jewish history. Olives are frequently mentioned in Jewish religious texts and are generally regarded as a symbol of peace or victory and wisdom.
History
Background The olive tree is native to the Mediterranean basin. Olives have been cultivated since at least the 5th millennium BCE, evidenced through archaeological finds from Teleilat el-Ghassul in present-day Jordan, and were "economically the most important classical fruit of the Mediterranean basin". The discovery of olive stones beyond their natural environment indicates cultivation in the Jordan Valley, likely relying on irrigation. The production of olive oil can be evidenced through large amounts of crushed olive stones left over from pressing, and the remains of olive presses. In the Middle and Late Bronze Age olive cultivation spread to much of the Mediterranean. An increasing amount of olive pollen in archaeological soils indicates the plant became more common around the Sea of Galilee. After a decrease in tree pollen (including from olives) in the period of about 1500 BCE to 1100 BCE, from 1100 BCE it became more common indicating a change from a dry climate to one more suited to agriculture.
Iron Age In the 9th and 8th centuries BCE, industrial villages dedicated to olive oil production, likely under royal patronage, were established. These villages housed dozens of presses, exemplified by discoveries at sites like Khirbat Khudash. In the 8th century BCE, the olive oil industry experienced a boom in mass production across both Israelite kingdoms. Following the Assyrian conquest of Israel, the production of olive oil continued in Judah, from where it was shipped to the other vassal states of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Olives and olive by-products were used as a source of food, light (fuel), hygiene, and healing. Later Jewish populations mostly planted olive trees in Galilee, Judea, and Samaria. The olive industry persisted as a key part of the Jewish economy even as the land changed hands under various powers.
Olive processing sites
Modern Jewish period Following the First Aliyah, Jewish olim began planting a number of plants, including olive trees. Olive oil was sold in markets and exported. Olive oil was the most common oil used by the Jewish community. With the foundation of a modern industrial oil factory that produced distilled oils from various grains, such as soy, sunflower, and corn, olive oil experienced a decline. Over the 20th century, the Jewish population established numerous olive plantations. The Kibbutz movements played a significant role in fostering the cultivation of olives. At the turn of the 3rd millennium, Israel saw an increase in olive oil consumption. Israel's Ministry of Agriculture promotes and supports the production of olives for olive oil pressing and local usage. Since 2021, the olive tree has been the national tree of the State of Israel. Its branches are depicted on the Emblem of Israel and the insignia of the Israel Defence Forces (incl. The Military Rabbinate). In Israel, olives are an economically important fruit. Within Israel's olive plantations, some olive trees have stood for centuries. The trees can be found in various regions, from the elevated mountain areas to the coastal plains. The landscape contains ~340,000 dunams (84,000 acres) of olive plantations. These expansive groves are home to a variety of olive types. Among them are the: Zuri, Barnea, Manzanillo, Picual, Muhasan, Nabali, Souri, Kalamata, Picholine, Maalot and Coratina.
Cultural significance
In Hebrew scripture
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