• February 9, 2025
  • 11 5785, Shevat
  • פרשת יתרו

Olives and Olive Oil in Judaism

Olives and Olive Oil in Judaism

Why are olives and olive oil so important to Jewish religious practice? Join Rabbi David Sedley as he explores their history and centrality in Judaism. 

November 28, 2023 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Olives and Olive Oil in Judaism: Part 1
Class description

In this class, we look at the history of olives and olive oil. We look at the symbolic connection between olives and Jews, and delve into why the rabbis banned olive oil made my gentiles, but then later rescinded that ban.

December 5, 2023 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Olives and Olive Oil in Judaism: Olives and Olive Oil part 2
Class description

In this class we look at the small pitchers that Yaacov went back for, leading to his wrestling match with the angel. Sources say that these pitchers were filled with oil that lasted from the time of the patriarchs until the time of Mashiach.

Rabbi David Sedley lives in Jerusalem with his wife and six children. He was born and raised in New Zealand before making Aliya in 1992. He left Israel temporarily (for eight years) to serve as a communal Rabbi in Scotland and England and returned to Israel in 2004. His latest book is "The Elephant of Deliberate Forgetfulness: and other unexpected interpretations of the weekly Torah reading". He has also translated Rabbeinu Yonah's commentary on Pirkei Avos and is the co-author of Sefiros: Spiritual Refinement Through Counting the Omer (both Judaica Press). Over the years Rabbi Sedley has worked as a journalist, a translator, a video director and in online reputation management. He also writes a weekly Torah blog on the Times of Israel.