Almond Tree
Joel Arthur Rosenthal’s Menorah, 2017
Joel A. Rosenthal, JAR
Pink enamel, white and gold diamonds, blue and violet sapphires, and pink rubies
Created in five weeks for the first joint exhibition of the Jewish Museum of Rome and the Vatican which was titled “Menorah: Worshiped, History, Legends” had included 130 objects from the first century through to today, the newest menorah at this exhibition had been Joel A. Rosenthal’s which had been shaped to a limb of a blooming almond tree. JAR menorah was specifically done for this exhibition.
The almond tree is sometimes referred to as “the tree of life” which JAR found out after an interview with a rabbi. The almond tree or Prunus amygdalus species is native to the Asia (the earliest known existents), Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Research has shown that explorers ate almonds while traveling the "Silk Road" between Asia and the Mediterranean, which guided almond trees to flourished around the Mediterranean, especially in Spain and Italy. It was later introduced to Californian around the 18th century by the Franciscan Padres. In the 1800s the almond tree was planted inland and became a successful and prominent type of farming.
Almonds are not a real nut they are a type of dry fruit. The trees produce fragrant, five-petaled, light pink to white flowers from late January to early April north of the Equator. They are botanically a stone fruit meaning they are related to the cherry, the plum, and the peach. They are used in many foods such as bread, oil, milk, and desserts.
The almond in some cultures are highly revered. The fruit has many meanings, in Hebrew, it is a symbol of watchfulness and promise because it is the first tree to flower in Israel. In the Bible, almonds are symbolism of divine approval which stems from “The Book of Numbers,” and in the Roman culture, almonds represent fertility charm, children, happiness, romance, good health, and fortune. In Sweden, it is custom to put them in rice pudding during Christmas for good fortune for the new year. Lastly, in the Chinese culture, the almond is considered a symbol of enduring sadness and female beauty.
Throughout history, the Bible and the Torah hold almond trees to a high value. The almond blossom was model for the menorah which stood in the Holy Temple, “Three cups, shaped like almond blossoms, were on one branch, with a knob and a flower; and three cups, shaped like almond blossoms, were on the other… on the candlestick, itself were four cups, shaped like almond blossoms, with its knobs and flowers.” In Christian symbolism often uses almond branches as symbols relative to baby Jesus and Mary.
The three of life which in Judaism is the almond tree is know by the tradition of mystical Kabbalah, the Tree of Life is not a literal tree but a symbol that is used to understand the nature of God and his relationship to the created world. It is also seen as reflecting man, who is the divine creation. JAR's almond branch menorah is a representation of true beliefs and religion.
“The menorah, the ancient symbol of the Jewish culture and religion, is not to be confused with the Hanukkah menorah or the Hanukkah; the former had seven arms and was originally an oil lamp, the latter has nine arms, and is used with candles for the annual holiday.” -NY Times