Pomegranates

A Devotaj Sacred Arts Source Sheet

Photo by Paula Morin on Unsplash

Overview

The pomegranate (רימון) is such a common motif and symbol in Jewish culture.  Rabbinic Judaism says that it’s because of the “613 seeds” in the pomegranate that connect to the 613 mitzvot.  There aren’t 613 seeds in a pomegranate, but it’s a great story.

Pomegranates have a long connection to fertility and abundance across many cultures and Jewish culture is no different.  I’ve found teachings that one should eat a pomegranate at the new year (Rosh Hashanah, or more likely the first of Nisan) to increase fertility.  Eating them on the high holidays also is a way to ensure lots of blessings (as many as the seeds) in the new year.

In the Cairo Genizah a magickal formula was found to release men who are impotent to write a specific series of words/symbols on a pomegranate leaf then drink it in wine (Naveh & Shaked: http://amzn.to/2yjs5s9).

I know from my own pomegranate tree that if you cut a green branch, the leaves stay green as they dry — which gives it a sense of eternity.

Table of Contents:

• Tanakh and Talmud

• Talmud, Commentaries, Midrash

• Other Web Resources

• From my Library

---

Tanach and Talmud

(selected references)

Tanach

• Exodus 28:33-34 – On its hem make pomegranates of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, all around the hem, with bells of gold between them all around: a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around the hem of the robe.

• Deuteronomy 8:8 – A land of wheat and barley; and grape and fig and pomegranate; a land of oil-olive and honey.

• Joel 1:12 – The vine has dried up, The fig tree withers,  Pomegranate, palm, and apple— All the trees of the field are sear. And joy has dried up Among men.

• Haggai 2:19 – while the seed is still in the granary, and the vine, fig tree, pomegranate, and olive tree have not yet borne fruit. For from this day on I will send blessings.

• Song of Songs:

  • 4:3 – Your brow behind your veil [Gleams] like a pomegranate split open.

  • 4:13 – Your arid fields are a pomegranate orchard with luscious fruits; henna with spikenard.

  • 6:7 – Your brow behind your veil [Gleams] like a pomegranate split open.

  • 8:2 – I would lead you, I would bring you To the house of my mother, Of her who taught me— I would let you drink of the spiced wine, Of my pomegranate juice.