Easter greetings to my many Christian friends, wishing you every blessing at this special time of year.
I met Christian pilgrims last week who had come from assorted European countries to volunteer in Israel (agriculture, visiting the wounded, packing relief supplies for the displaced and in need) They were excited to be spending Good Friday and Easter weekend in Jerusalem and it means so much to the people of Jerusalem to host these special visitors in these difficult times.
The photos show some native spring wildflowers in bloom now near my home in Israel. The redbud tree with the pink-purple-crimson blossoms is known in English as the "Judas Tree" (Hebrew Klil Hahoresh, scientific name Cercis siliquastrum) There are some who say that this relates to a legend that the tree's blossoms are pink tinged because this is the tree that Judas hanged himself on. The likely origin of the English name though according to British botanist David John Mabberly is a corruption of the French common name Arbre de Judée, tree of Judea, because of this tree's native terrain and it's close association with ancient Judea.
Because it flowers in the spring there is a tradition among some Christian communities in the Levant and Balkans that associate this tree with Easter and as a symbol of early the Christian community and the Byzantine Empire.
The tree is mentioned in the biblical book of Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles) referred to by its Persian name Argon, which describes its deep magenta-red colour, analogous to the biblical Hebrew colour argaman. In Arabic and Hebrew (عروس الغابة Arus el Haba and כליל החורש Klil Hahoresh) the meaning refers to the tree's striking blossoms "bride/beauty/crown/tiara of the woodland".
Whatever name you choose this is one of the most gorgeous trees among many that adorn our countryside in winter and spring. This time of year the hillsides and verges are alive with these vibrant splashes of glorious colour, while cultivated varities bloom in parks and gardens.
These are painful, sad times for the people of Israel but our native landscape reminds us to maintain hope and faith.
Easter greetings to my many Christian friends, wishing you every blessing at this special time of year. I met Christian pilgrims last week who had come from assorted European countries to volunteer in Israel (agriculture, visiting the wounded, packing relief supplies for the displaced and in need) They were excited to be spending Good Friday and Easter weekend in Jerusalem and it means so much to the people of Jerusalem to host these special visitors in these difficult times.
The photos show some native spring wildflowers in bloom now near my home in Israel. The redbud tree with the pink-purple-crimson blossoms is known in English as the "Judas Tree" (Hebrew Klil Hahoresh, scientific name Cercis siliquastrum) There are some who say that this relates to a legend that the tree's blossoms are pink tinged because this is the tree that Judas hanged himself on. The likely origin of the English name though according to British botanist David John Mabberly is a corruption of the French common name Arbre de Judée, tree of Judea, because of this tree's native terrain and it's close association with ancient Judea.
Because it flowers in the spring there is a tradition among some Christian communities in the Levant and Balkans that associate this tree with Easter and as a symbol of early the Christian community and the Byzantine Empire.
The tree is mentioned in the biblical book of Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles) referred to by its Persian name Argon, which describes its deep magenta-red colour, analogous to the biblical Hebrew colour argaman. In Arabic and Hebrew (عروس الغابة Arus el Haba and כליל החורש Klil Hahoresh) the meaning refers to the tree's striking blossoms "bride/beauty/crown/tiara of the woodland".
Whatever name you choose this is one of the most gorgeous trees among many that adorn our countryside in winter and spring. This time of year the hillsides and verges are alive with these vibrant splashes of glorious colour, while cultivated varities bloom in parks and gardens.
These are painful, sad times for the people of Israel but our native flora reminds us to maintain hope and faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment