Rosh Hashana—Beginnings and Endings

We often think of Rosh Hashana only as the beginning of the new calendar year. Yet in nature, this time of year also represents an agricultural ending in the Land of Israel.    According to the Mishna, “Embryonic (sycomore) figs may be pierced and oiled until Rosh Hashana”  (Sh’viit 2:5).  Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating tree.

First, we should mention what the sycomore is not.  It should not be confused with the sycamore, a member of the elm family.  The sycomore fig tree,  ficus sycomorus (in Latin), or shikmah  (in Hebrew), is large and beautiful with a wide, strong trunk and leathery leaves. Native to central Africa, it originally was carried north to Egypt , then to Israel , Lebanon and Cyprus . The small fruit develops in clusters on special branchlets, which grow close to the trunk and its main branches.  These special fruit-bearing brachlets are called gamziot (plural) in the Mishna (Pesakhim 4,8) and gamzuz (singular) in Eikha Rabba (commentary on the Book of Lamentations).  Early farmers learned how to improve the production of fruit by piercing the embryonic fruit with a special knife, and then wiping it with oil.  Within a short time the hard, small green fruit enlarge and become sweet and fleshy.

Unlike the common fig, which ripens throughout the summer, the embryonic sycomore fruit develops on many trees only at the end of summer, ripening in the autumn. The piercing, frequently accompanied with oiling of the fruit, was therefore considered in the Mishna as work that was permitted on the ‘eve’ of the sabbatical year (the sixth year of the ‘week of years’) right up to the start of the sabbatical year on Rosh Hashana.  This, despite the fact that the fruit ripens only after the onset of the sabbatical year itself.  

The prophet Amos, who lived in the Tekoa region of Judea (with an altitude of approximately 900 meters above sea level) describes himself as “a herdsman and a dresser of sycomore fruit”   (Amos 7:14).  

By studying the lifestyle of the Tekoa herdsmen, we can understand not only where "his" sycomores grew, but also how Amos came to deliver his message in Beit El, an area that was not a part of the kingdom of Judea .  Towards the end of the summer, when even the dry pasturage was gone from the Judean Desert,  shepherds would move their flocks and herds from places like Tekoa, as well as Beit El, to the Jordan plain in the Jericho valley.  This is probably where Amos “dressed” the shepherds of Beit El who told him about the misbehavior of the elite residents of their area.  

The sycomore in Jericho is known in the Christian Bible from the reference to it when Zacchaeus climbed into this tree to see Jesus entering Jericho (Luke 19:4). Zacchaeus was a short man (tax collector, by profession) who could not see over the shoulders of other people, but he would have had little difficulty climbing up one of the massive sycomore trees, as their trunks often start to form their branches near the ground. A sycomore planted beside the   sycomore fruit by piercing and oiling it, and where he met the shepherds of Beit El who told him about the misbehavior of the elite residents of their area.  

The sycomore in Jericho is known in the Christian Bible from the reference to it when Zacchaeus climbed into this tree to see Jesus entering Jericho (Luke 19:4). Zacchaeus was a short man (tax collector, by profession) who could not see over the shoulders of other people, but he would have had little difficulty climbing up one of the massive sycomore trees, as their trunks often start to form their branches near the ground. A sycomore planted beside the road in Jericho would provide an excellent vantage point.

The sycomore fig was once widespread in Israel , especially in the region of the Shephelah— Israel ’s lowlands.   In  I Chron. 27:28 we read of a special steward over the sycomores in this region.  In II Chron. 1:15 (and similarly in II Chron. 9:27) we learn, “The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars as plentiful as the sycomores in the Shephelah.”  Neot Kedumim is located in the Shephelah, and since its beginnings, we have planted many sycomores.  The successful growth  of these trees is one of many examples of restoration ecology as it is practiced at Neot Kedumim.

To read more about the sycomore and its importance in ancient Israel , please see “Tree and Shrub In Our Biblical Heritage”, by Nogah Hareuveni.  Most of the material in this article was adapted by Paula Tobenfeld from this volume.  The book may be ordered through AFNK, PO Box 236 , Howes Cave , NY   12092 .  For questions about ordering, please contact us at (518) 296-8673 or email tikvah4afnk@yahoo.com