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Who Are the Chaldeans? The Chaldeans trace their roots to ancient Mesopotamia, particularly the southern regions near the Euphrates River. Historically, they were known for their contributions to astronomy, mathematics, and literature. In biblical times, the term ‘Chaldean’ often referred to a class of scholars and astrologers in Babylon. Over time, the identity of the Chaldeans evolved, especially as they encountered various empires and religious influences. Today, the term ‘Chaldean’ often refers to members of a distinct ethnic group originating from Iraq, many of whom are part of the Chaldean Catholic Church. However, their cultural identity extends beyond religion, encompassing...

The Story Behind the Splitting of the Sea The event commonly referred to as the splitting of the sea takes place in the Book of Exodus, chapter 14. After centuries of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were finally granted their freedom. Led by Moses, they began their journey into the wilderness. But soon after their departure, Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his army to recapture them. Trapped between the advancing Egyptian forces and the sea, the Israelites cried out in fear. In that moment of desperation, Moses was instructed to stretch out his hand over the sea. When he...

The Destruction of the First Temple and the Babylonian Exile In 586 BCE, the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple in Jerusalem, a devastating blow to the Jewish people. The Temple had been the spiritual heart of Jewish life, built by King Solomon centuries earlier. Its destruction marked not only the loss of a sacred space but also the beginning of a long and painful exile. The Babylonian exile was a time of mourning and reflection. Far from their homeland, the Jewish people preserved their identity through prayer, study, and community. They longed for the day they could return to Jerusalem...

The Importance of Ancient Maps in Understanding History Maps are more than just tools for navigation—they are windows into the past. When we examine ancient maps of the Levant, especially those highlighting Tyre and Sidon, we gain insight into how people understood geography, politics, and culture in biblical times. These maps help us visualize trade routes, territorial boundaries, and the proximity of key cities to one another. The map of Tyre and Sidon reveals their strategic location along the Mediterranean Sea, north of ancient Israel. Their coastal positions made them ideal hubs for trade and communication. These cities were not...

“On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham and said, “To your descendants I give this land…” Genesis 15:18 Thousands of years later Dr. Amir Kitron, a descendant of Abraham has returned to Judea where he has established his life, and a unique business, Herbs of Kedem. The Herbs of Kedem factory is nestled high in the Hebron Hills on the Jewish settlement of Carmel, first mentioned in the bible and re-established in 1980. Carmel is now home to Jewish pioneers who are dedicated to living and raising their families in this holy place. Herbs of Kedem products...

It takes a great man of faith to trust in G-d and obey His Word even when others tell him not to. Boaz Ido, one of the producers in our Lev Haolam family, is just such a man. When Boaz faced the problem of how to grow a flourishing olive grove while all he had were a few weak and withered trees, he knew he had to put the Torah first in his business, and G-d would bring the increase. To understand the situation that Boaz found himself in, we need to look back to 1979 when 10 Jewish families...

Many of you have written in lately to say how much you liked the Masik natural toothpaste we included in a recent package. We’re glad you liked it! This toothpaste is actually very special. It is made by Masik, a family-run natural cosmetics company based in the Golan Heights. This is one of the territories that the BDS movement is seeking to boycott, so your support is very important to them. Masik’s toothpaste contains no fluoride and is handmade from only natural ingredients. What makes it different from other natural toothpastes is that it contains Israeli Dead Sea salt. The...

You probably noticed some special cosmetic products in our last package: an organic night cream and a citron serum made by the family-run business Arugot. Now we want to tell you a little about what makes these cosmetics so special, and about the incredible couple who make them… Itai and Esther Lachman live in Netivot, a town in the Negev region of Israel, close to the Gaza border. So close, in fact, that they have just 15 seconds to make it to a bomb shelter or safe room when the sirens warn that rockets are coming from the Hamas-led Gaza...

Shavuot is one of the richest and most joyous of the biblical feasts. Yet many people don’t understand the full significance of this holiday and miss out on the awesome treasures it contains. Here are just some of the fascinating facts you may not know about Shavuot: 1. The main biblical character associated with Shavuot wasn’t born a Jew During Shavuot, it’s traditional to read the Book of Ruth – a biblical love story centred around the Shavuot harvest. Ruth, the beautiful Moabitess, aligns herself with the God of Israel and accompanies her Jewish mother-in-law back to the Promised Land....

Many of you have been in touch to ask how the producers and small businesses that Lev Haolam supports are coping during this pandemic. Thank you so much for your concern and all the words of encouragement. The truth is that these are devastating times for the whole world, and Israel is no exception. Israel is now in its third week of national lockdown. The only stores permitted to open are supermarkets and pharmacies. Many businesses across the country have already collapsed and the unemployment rate is soaring. The artisans and producers that Lev Haolam supports are no longer able...

The Novel Coronavirus Moves Across the World with Lightning Speed The Novel Coronavirus emerged slowly and lent a feeling of unease that has snowballed over the past month. We have all watched in horror as stock markets have plummeted, country after country has fallen into the grip of this highly contagious virus, overtaxing medical infrastructure and most painfully causing the loss of life. Governments the world over are responding with stricter, more draconian measures, and people find themselves feeling afraid, lonely, and helpless. The Israeli people have responded to this global health crisis in a uniquely Jewish way. Jewish tradition...

On the one hand, Purim, that commemorates a narrow escape of Persian Jews from the death sentence 2,500 years ago, fits perfectly into the regular scheme of a Jewish holiday: ‘They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat.’ On the other hand, there is some sharp contrast between Purim and other Jewish holidays, like Pessach or Chanukkah. The latter are about Jews escaping death, too, but there were miracles happening there: The division of the Red Sea, or the light of the Menorah that lasted eight days instead of one. In the story of Purim we do not see...