Ezekiel’s Cedars and the Bible’s Other Trees

Nov. 18 2024

One thing those Zionist farmers did was plant trees, which, the Bible makes clear, were spread over much of the land in ancient times. Beginning with the third day of creation and the famous trees of the Garden of Eden, trees play a major role in the Tanakh, and often convey rich symbolism. Adriane Leveen examines some of these symbolic uses, noting that they are far from generic; rather, “the prophets use their knowledge of trees, gained from acute observation” to convey their message. Take, for instance, the way Ezekiel evokes the cedar:

Ezekiel presents Assyria as a cedar in a passage warning the Egyptian pharaoh that he may share the fate of the Assyrian king, whose empire was conquered in the late 7th century BCE. The majestic height of the cedar is reinforced through a description of its crown in the clouds. . . .

Safety, beauty, flourishing of species, and pleasure abound. This gorgeous poem [found in Ezekiel 31] is an ode to the cedar as cedar as well as the waters that allow it to grow. In capturing the beauty and grandeur of the cedar, we may forget that it represents Israel’s enemy, whose death would be a cause of celebration. Instead, we marvel at the perfect harmony of the scene, which conveys a profound appreciation for the natural world.

Through this metaphor, the prophet conveys a dual message: the Israelites should be wary both of worshipping and adoring the cedar (and nature, in general) and of following foreign kings. Both can lead to idolatry, one of Ezekiel’s repeated concerns. Indeed, Israel owes its fealty to the Arborist alone.

Read more at theTorah.com

More about: Ezekiel, Hebrew Bible

Kuwait Should Be the Next Country to Make Peace with Israel

Feb. 13 2025

Like his predecessor, Donald Trump seeks to expand the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. But there are other Arab nations that might consider taking such a step. Ahmad Charai points to Kuwait—home to the Middle East’s largest U.S. army base and desperately in need of economic reform—as a good candidate. Kuwaitis haven’t forgiven Palestinians for supporting Saddam Hussein during his 1990 invasion, but their country has been more rhetorically hostile to Israel than its Gulf neighbors:

The Abraham Accords have reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy. . . . Kuwait, however, remains hesitant due to internal political resistance. While full normalization may not be immediately feasible, the United States should encourage Kuwait to take gradual steps toward engagement, emphasizing how participation in regional cooperation does not equate to abandoning its historical positions.

Kuwait could use its influence to push for peace in the Middle East through diplomatic channels opened by engagement rather than isolation. The economic benefits of joining the broader framework of the Abraham Accords are overwhelming. Israel’s leadership in technology, agriculture, and water management presents valuable opportunities for Kuwait to enhance its infrastructure. Trade and investment flows would diversify the economy, providing new markets and business partnerships.

Kuwaiti youth, who are increasingly looking for opportunities beyond the public sector, could benefit from collaboration with advanced industries, fostering job creation and entrepreneurial growth. The UAE and Bahrain have already demonstrated how normalization with Israel can drive economic expansion while maintaining their respective geopolitical identities.

Read more at Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

More about: Abraham Accords, Kuwait