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The Righteous as Cedars
TANAKH
The righteous are likened to the strong and enduring cedar trees, symbolizing their flourishing and thriving nature. The Book of Psalms uses the imagery of the date-palm and the cedar in Lebanon to illustrate the enduring strength and renewal of the righteous.
Cedar Trees in Solomon's Jerusalem
COMMENTARY
Cedar trees were considered particularly valuable in the ancient Near East. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s modern translation and commentary explains how the Book of Chronicles' description of Solomon's Jerusalem, which compares the quantity of cedars to sycamores, is an indication of abundance and wealth.
The Mystical Cedars of Lebanon
KABBALAH
The cedars of Lebanon have been identified as mystical symbols representing the Patriarchs and connecting to hidden spiritual realities. The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, uses symbolic language to explore spiritual concepts.
The Role of Cedar Wood in Purification
MUSAR
Cedar wood is a key element in the purification process for someone afflicted with Tzora-at, highlighting its unique role in Jewish ritual. Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz’s 17th-century work, Shenei Luchot HaBerit, includes the purification process in his list of commandments.
The Fruit of the Cedar Tree
TALMUD
The interpretation of the term 'itzterubalin' in the mishnah has implications both for laws of commerce with idol-worshippers and for laws of the Sabbatical Year. The Gemara in Tractate Avodah Zara analyzes the term 'itzterubalin' and resolves a contradiction by identifying it as the fruit of the cedar tree.
The Cedar and the Fruitless Tzaddik
CHASIDUT
Psalm 92 uses both cedars and date palms as metaphors for the righteous. Tzava’at HaRivash, a collection of teachings attributed to the Baal Shem Tov and his successor, explains the distinction between those two arboreal ideals.
Cedar Wood in Ritual Purification
MIDRASH
The Book of Leviticus instructs the priests on the methods of purifying people from the tzaraat skin affliction, including the use of cedar wood. The Sifra, an ancient midrash on the book of Leviticus from the land of Israel, provides a word-by-word interpretation of the relevant verse.
Building Solomon's Temple
TARGUM
The construction of Solomon's Temple, a pivotal event in Jewish history, involved the use of cedar and other materials, all overlaid with pure gold. The Aramaic Targum to Song of Songs offers an interpretive translation that recounts the history of Israel, including the construction of the First Temple.
Building Bridges with Cedars
TANAKH
The collaboration between King Hiram of Tyre and King David highlights the importance of diplomacy and mutual respect in ancient times. The book of I Chronicles recounts how King Hiram provided cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters to help King David build a palace, emphasizing the significance of this alliance.
Cedar Beams on the Sukkah
TALMUD
The rabbis debated whether cedar beams of a certain width could be used to construct a sukkah. This baraita from the Babylonian Talmud records the differing opinions of Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehuda on the suitability of cedar beams for sukkah roofing.
Cedar Trees and the Second Temple
SECOND TEMPLE
The construction of the Second Temple was a monumental task that required extensive logistical and cooperative efforts, including the role of the Sidonians in supplying cedar trees from Lebanon. Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, provides an account of these efforts in his work, 'The Antiquities of the Jews.'
The Fall of the Cedars
TANAKH
The destruction of the choicest cedars symbolizes a significant loss or calamity. The prophet Jeremiah foretells the downfall of the kingdom of Judah, using the imagery of trees being cut down and burned.
The Fall of the Mighty Cedars
TANAKH
The lamentation over the destruction of the cedars symbolizes the fall of powerful entities or leaders. The Book of Zechariah, a prophetic text from the post-exilic period, uses the imagery of fallen cedars to convey a scene of devastation and loss.
The Lonely Cedar, Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka, 1907
The Lonely Cedar, Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka, 1907
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