Rose

Vered (ורד) is the Hebrew word for rose, one of the most beloved flowers in Jewish tradition and Israeli culture. The rose appears throughout Jewish texts as a symbol of beauty, love, and the relationship between God and the Jewish people. In the Song of Songs (Shir HaShirim), the beloved declares 'I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys' (2:1), a verse that has inspired centuries of Jewish poetry, art, and mystical interpretation. The Zohar, the central text of Kabbalah, opens with an extended meditation on this verse, comparing the Jewish community (Knesset Yisrael) to a rose among thorns. Vered is also a popular Israeli name for girls, reflecting the deep cultural connection between nature and identity in Israeli society. The Sharon plain along Israel's Mediterranean coast was historically known for its wild roses, giving rise to the biblical phrase 'rose of Sharon.' In modern Hebrew, vered appears in everyday expressions and remains a favorite flower in Israeli gardens and markets. The word itself comes from ancient Semitic roots, and roses have been cultivated in the Land of Israel for thousands of years. Today, Israel is one of the world's major exporters of cut roses, connecting the ancient poetic tradition with modern agricultural innovation.