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Fig trees are one of the most frequently mentioned plants in the Bible. The first reference to them (and probably the most famous) is in Genesis, when Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the forbidden tree and realized they were naked. “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves girdles.” Genesis 3,7. |
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The Torah is compared to a fig tree. Why is that? Fig trees produce fruit gradually, over a few months. Thus the Torah cannot be studied all at once, but gradually, throughout a lifetime (Midrash Numbers Rabba 12, 9) Whenever you go to the fig tree, you are likely to find ripe fruit to eat. Similarly, whenever you go to the Torah, you will find nourishment for the spirit. (Babylonian Talmud, Eruvin 54a, b) Most fruits have inedible parts: dates have pits, grapes have seeds, and pomegranates have peels. But every part of the fig can be eaten. Similarly, no part of the Torah is without value; all parts of it provide sustenance. (Midrash Yalkut Shimoni, Joshua 2) |
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In traditional medicine figs have many uses: they have been used to treat constipation, bronchitis, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo (white skin patches), and diabetes. Its latex has been used to remove warts and treat skin tumors. |
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Figs are an excellent source of nutrition: they are rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin K and contain antioxidants. |
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Figs are one of the oldest cultivated trees in the world, and were domesticated before wheat, barley and legumes – about 1000 years before them. The oldest figs in the world were found in the Jordan Valley. |
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Have you ever seen a fig flower? Has anyone? Probably not, because fig flowers grow inside their fruit!! So how do fig trees reproduce? Answer: At the top of the fig is a tiny hole through which a small female wasp enters, lays her eggs and dies. When the larvae hatch and mature they mate and the females leave, carrying pollen with them, and then enter another fig, pollinate it, lay their eggs and start the cycle over again.
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