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Biblical Garden
​Blog

Abraham's Bush

9/1/2014

 
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Neot Kedumim, the Biblical Landscape Reserve in Israel, is a unique recreation of the physical setting of the Bible in all its depth and detail allows visitors to see life as it was lived by our ancestors 3,000 years ago, and it is an invaluable resource for biblical gardeners everywhere. Dr. Sarah Oren, Curator of the Neot Kedumim Botanical Garden writes:

"One of the most prominent late-summer plants is the Vitex agnus-castus, known by several names in English, including Abraham’s Balm and Chaste Tree. This member of the verbenaceae plant family grows by bodies of water all over Israel, except for the Negev desert. Genesis 22 relates the story of the Binding of Isaac, in which Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac. In truth, he was not meant to kill his son; rather, he was being tested by the Lord to see to what extent his commitment and obedience would take him. When the angel stopped Abraham from harming Isaac, “Abraham looked and saw a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up as a sacrifice in place of his son.” (Genesis 22:13).

One Jewish tradition teaches us that the bush in which the ram was caught was the Vitex agnus-castus. The Latin name reflects this tradition (vitex (= life) agnus (= lamb) castus (= humble), that is to say “the life of the innocent lamb” – Isaac. A third name in English also reflects this tradition, Abraham’s balm, and the Hebrew name of the plant translates to “Abraham’s bush.” The connection of this plant to this story is particularly appropriate now, as Rosh Hashanah is upon us. This is the time of year when the Abraham’s balm is in full bloom. Our Sages teach us that the Binding of Isaac took place on Rosh Hashanah, and Genesis 22 is read in synagogues around the world. The shofar (ram’s horn) that we blow on Rosh Hashanah is to, among other things, remind God of Abraham’s commitment to God's will, and to hopefully inspire God's mercy upon us during this period of divine judgment." 

Temple Sinai now has a Vitex agnus-castus in our garden collection, along with other new shrubs. The garden has yielded an abundance of herbs, pulses and cucumbers; and the grapevine on its new arbor is heavy with grapes. Now we welcome the New Year with hopes of reaping what the prophet Isaiah called the “good of the land,” and hope for a successful, happy and healthy year.  


Corri B Gottesman
7/31/2016 07:39:13 am

Lovely. We have 2 at Germantown Jewish centre in Philly that aren't in a good place. Looking around to see what others are doing with it. My guess is that yours is big? How big?

Catherine Walters
8/1/2016 03:01:46 pm

Hi Corri,
Our bush survived its first winter last year and is now in bloom and looking good. I will hard prune it in the fall down to about a foot in height, and it should fill in again in the spring once it wakes up. It stays dormant longer than many shrubs in the spring. Depending on your site and space, you may not want to prune it and you can let it grow into a tree but our space is limited. The bush is in full sun, sandy soil, and we're in a drought so it doesn't get much water. But it's doing well. Thank you for reading my blog!!! Let me know if you need further information!

corri gottesman
11/4/2016 09:08:58 pm

Thk you! I just saw your reply.

Sandra
6/5/2020 03:22:43 pm

Can I order abraham bush and other biblical plants?

Dr. Yasir Ali Khan
10/31/2020 10:48:21 pm

First of all The only Almighty Allah ask sacrifice of Ismael Alehis salam not Ishaq Alehis Salam... Read Holy Quran for Further correction.. In jealousy you people change the name of Prophet because Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him arrived from the childrens of Ismael Alehis salam... Beware of the day of Judgment where no liars will escape from the punishment.

unknown
12/30/2020 11:37:49 am

This article is very informative information about agnus castus, but its also interesting that you made this point about it being Ismael and not Ishaaq, im going to look into this as a muslim and learn about this from the quranic perspective and yes they denied the arab side out of jealousy because the jews wanted to be the chosen people, Allah made the chosen one from arab lineage because the jews constinetely were denying and killing their own people, including Jesus (AS) so Allah had a better plan, the rabbis knew that Muhammad (saaws) was the true and final prophet but they hid the truth and once again denied it.


Comments are closed.

    Authors

    Michael Schlesinger is Temple Sinai’s Biblical Gardener. Mike has been gardening since he was eight years old. He used to grow grape vines and make wine when he lived in California. He now tends to our garden, continuing the traditions started by Catherine Walters.

    Catherine Walters, who died in July 2017, was the founder of  our Biblical Garden and was our first Gardener. She shared her thoughts and wisdom about discovering the Bible in leaf, root and stem right here each month.

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  • Home
  • About
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Past Event Videos
    • Our Clergy
    • Professional Staff
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    • Calendar >
      • Monthly Calendar
    • Our History
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    • Shabbat
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    • Life Cycle Events >
      • Visiting a Shiva House
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    • Religious School
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    • Tikkun Olam (Social Action) >
      • Prayer is Not Enough
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      • Biblical Garden Blog
    • Kesher Social Worker >
      • Here's To Your Health!
    • Kashrut at Temple Sinai
    • Israel Trip 2023
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