Vine / Grapevine

Gefen (גפן) — the grapevine — is one of the seven species of the Land of Israel and occupies a central place in Jewish ritual and symbolism. The Kiddush blessing recited over wine on Shabbat and holidays praises God as 'borei p'ri hagefen' — Creator of the fruit of the vine. This phrase makes gefen one of the most frequently spoken Hebrew words in Jewish life. The vine is used throughout the Bible as a metaphor for the Jewish people. Isaiah's famous 'Song of the Vineyard' (Isaiah 5:1-7) compares Israel to God's carefully tended vineyard. Psalm 80 pleads: 'You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.' When the twelve spies explored Canaan, they carried back a massive cluster of grapes on a pole between two men (Numbers 13:23) — an image that became the logo of Israel's Ministry of Tourism. Winemaking in the Land of Israel dates back at least 5,000 years, and Israeli wine has experienced a remarkable renaissance in recent decades. The Judean Hills, Galilee, Golan Heights, and Negev desert now produce world-class wines recognized internationally. Ancient wine presses have been excavated throughout the country, connecting modern vintners with their biblical predecessors. The grapevine also appears in Jewish art — synagogue mosaics, ketubot (marriage contracts), and Torah ark curtains frequently feature vine and grape motifs. The vine represents joy, abundance, and the sweetness of life in the Promised Land.