Olive Trees have been grown in Israel for thousands of years. In times of antiquity, a stone press was used to crush the olives into oil which was used to cook, as skin and hair moisturizer, to light the golden menorah in the Temple, and even to anoint the kings of Israel! Today, ancient stone presses such as this one have been unearthed by archeologists and can be found throughout the country. We hope that all of us shall again merit a leader who will be anointed with pure olive oil; a leader who will guide the world into an era of peace.
Did you know that most of the oil that is pressed from an olive comes not from its pulp but from its pit? It is a beautiful reminder of the greatness within us all. When we judge someone harshly based on how they look on the outside, we too are fooled into thinking that their potential seems only skin deep, as is true with olives. May we be blessed to find the strength to judge everyone favorably: The strength to take the time to get to know people and nourish their inner light as a master craftsmen presses pure oil from the toughest, most inner part of the olive.
