Going out to the fields in Israel in the winter presents the beautiful sight of almond trees in bloom, covered in white blossoms. But it is not for its physical beauty that the almond is mentioned so many times in the Bible.
Jacob relied on the spiritual connection with the almond tree to allow him to overcome Lavan:
It is its combination of spirituality and beauty that made it a central motif in the golden menorah that was a central feature in the Tabernacle and Temple:
Its spiritual strength made a blossoming branch of the almond tree the perfect staff Aaron that gave him a spiritual victory over Korach and his followers:
The almond staff was such a powerful symbol that God caused it to appear to the Prophet Jeremiah to begin his prophetic period:
This vision of an almond branch was clearly a hint at the impending destruction of the Temple with which almonds were so closely associated. It is for this reason that this section of the Book of Jeremiah is the first haftorah read during the three weeks of mourning for the Temple.
The word Shaked (almond) means to be quick, as the tree is the first to bring forth fruit after the winter. As a warning, the almond indicates that the punishment will come quickly. But the word also means watchful, clearly as a reassuring image that despite the severe punishment, God would continue to watch over Israel.
This dual nature of the word shaked is embodied in the tree, as it is the first tree to blossom but also the first tree to lose its flowers. It is the first tree to bring forth its white apparel, but it is also the first tree to stand bare and naked when its blossoms fall.
Again, the almond is set as a sign of danger but also of God’s care:
