Students Again

Food has a great history linked to biblical times. The three major religions of the world, whose followers are known as the peoples of the book, have many commonalities in their foods choices as part of traditional meals. Some of these common food choices include grapes, figs, olives, wheat, and barley. These food items are known as the daily bread.

The foods of the bible relate to the geography and climate of the region in that the fruits and vegetables mentioned are indigenous to Israel. This creates the notion that if Israel is holy than the indigenous foods of Israel are holy as well. It was mentioned that Israel has seven species, or seven food types, which are wheat, barley, olives, pomegranates, grapes, figs, and dates.

Today, traditional meals of many cultural groups are very similar to the meals early Israelites probably ate. The early Israelites were nomadic as many are today. Theses peoples are agriculturally and Sheppard based. The ancient people commonly ate what was available in the desert. This usually meant stopping wherever water could be found and utilizing the things found around water such as brush, capers, and reeds. The modern desert family is very similar. They eat two particular items that were very common during biblical times; these items are cheese and bread. The one thing commonly used in modern times that would have been rare in biblical times is the use of meat. Wine is another staple that fits into the meal patterns of the three major religions. In the Old Testament times wine was a symbol of abundance of Gods blessing and of joy. When Jesus talked of wine he focused on the crushing and shedding of the juice and identified it with the shedding of his blood.

The importance of the olive as a food item in this region is vast. The olive and the olive tree were used in an array of capacities. Olives were used as food to be eaten and to make olive oil. Olive oil was used for cooking, lighting, and as medicine. The olive tree was used as energy by burning wood and the leaves were used to feed animals. The ability of the olive tree to grow in the difficult climate of the Mediterranean made it a very useful commodity.

The relationship between the Passover meal, the Last Supper, and the Christian communion is entrenched in the commonality of the use and symbolization of bread and wine. Passover is in remembrance of the flight from Egypt and of slavery. During Passover wine and unleavened bread is used. The Last Supper was a Passover Seder. However, Jesus took the special  Passover traditional use of wine and bread and put it into a new context to celebrate his death. Today, in the Christian communion wine and bread are used to symbolize the blood and  body of Christ.