Torah and flora

Bible lovers, nature lovers, and all those fascinated by the way Jewish tradition makes use of every aspect of God's creation will be intrigued and delighted by Torah and Flora. Louis Rabinowitz, a distinguished rabbi, author and editor, has combined rabbinic scholarship, natural history and original insight to produce this delightful book on the plants, flowers, trees and fruits of the Torah, the Jewish Bible. Now a resident of Jerusalem, Dr.Rabinowitz has gained an extensive first hand knowledge of the land of the Bible through his own travels and explorations. His anecdotes and reminiscences of personal discoveries add present day relevance to the biblical account. He has also searched the Talmud, the Midrash, and innumerable rabbinic commentaries on the Bible for descriptions of the special significance of each plant or fruit in Jewish tradition, and their homiletical treatment by the Rabbis. Linked to the weekly sidra (Torah reading), the chapters of this book provide a unique and enjoyable way of enhancing our understanding of the biblical text. Torah and Flora will become a treasured volume to be turned to week after week, year after year. Louis I. Rabinowitz, born in Edinburgh in 1906, was Chief Rabbi of South Africa from 1945 to 1961.