What Does Shivat Haminim Mean?

Found this precious gem shared by a fellow freelance writer at HUBPages.com, an online writing community where many of the writers are experts or have such a passion that they speak with such thorough knowledge on a subject that you would dub them an "authority" on the matter.

"For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths, springing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of olive-trees and honey;" (Deuteronomy 8:7-8)

The fruits and grains mentioned in this scripture are called the seven species (shivat haminim). In Israel, they have special status.

Seven Species. Fruits and Vegetables of Holy Land

As many times as I have read this scripture, it's now seen in a new light. That's one of the joys of reading the Bible. Sacred mysteries are constantly revealed.

Seven Species of the Land of Israel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What is Religion? (It's a Straight Forward Question with a Straight Forward Answer.)

Two topics they say people should never discuss because it will likely always end in a heated argument: politics and religion. 

- Hard not to discuss politics. The media does a good job of keeping it in your face.

- Hard not to discuss religion. It's close to one's heart. Atheists, wiccans, devout believers all have convictions. The media helps a little. Didn't you hear all those reports about pope Francis?

When it comes to religion, there is a definition that everybody can agree with and should not cause controversy.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1: 27)

How hard can it be to follow this guideline?


Content first shared at myLot.com, Sept 2015.

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