In the Parsha Ki Sisa
Plants, Places, Animals
Compiled from: http://bible.ort.org/ The Living Torah by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
Musk deer (מר)
The Hebrew term mor of Exodus 30:23 is believed by some translators to be a reference to myrrh. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that it should be viewed as a reference to the musk that was obtained from the musk deer. The reference to the above appears in a text which enumerates the compounds that were necessary for the creation of an anointing oil. An oil that was to be used in various religious contexts. The musk deer is a stag that has sharp, protruding teeth. It is considered to be clean and kosher.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Nepal and Tibet.
Strombus (שחלת)
The Hebrew term shechelth of Exodus 30:34 is considered by some translators to be a reference to the onycha flower. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that it should be viewed as a reference to the finger-like tip of the strombus snail or to a material that was obtained form the burning of human fingernails. The term shechelth appears in a text which lists the various types of materials out of which the congregation was to produce a sacred incense for the Ark. The strombus is a non-kosher, pleasant smelling snail.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Indian Ocean.
Aloe (קנמן)
The Hebrew word kinman of Exodus 30:23 is considered by some scholars to be a reference to the dried bark of the cinnamon tree. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the term refers to aloes wood (eagle wood) or lignum aloes or alternatively to "mecca straw". The above plant is one of a number of plant, tree or animal-derived materials out of which a sacred anointment oil for the Holy Ark was to be produced. The bitter resin of the aloe is used in the making of fragrances.
Habitat: South-west Arabia, south-east Asia.
Cane (קנמן בשם)
The Hebrew word keneh bosem or fragrant cane of Exodus 30:23 is viewed by some translators as a reference to sweet calamus or canna as it is known in other sources. Some scholars dispute this and suggest that keneh bosem is a reference to a cympopogon or to the hemp plant. It is mentioned there as one of a number of plant, tree or animal-derived materials out of which a sacred anointment oil was to be produced. This oil was to be used to consecrate various utensils and furnishings inside the Holy Ark.
Habitat: Banks of the Jordan.
Cassia (קדה)
Cassia is mentioned in Exodus 30:24 as one of a number of plant or tree or animal-derived materials out of which a sacred anointing oil was to be produced. The oil was used to sanctify various utensils inside the Tabernacle. The cassia is a pungent spice which is similar to cinnamon. It is a member of the 'laurel' family.
Habitat: India.
Cinnamon (קנמן בשם)
Cinnamon is mentioned in Exodus 30:23 as one of a number of plant or tree or animal-derived materials out of which a sacred anointing oil was to be produced. The cinnamon is an evergreen species of the 'laurel' family. The spice is obtained from the dry bark of the plant.
Habitat: India, Malaysian peninsula and Sri Lanka.
Cyclamen
The cyclamen was identified as one of the components that were needed for the creation of sacred incense for the Holy Tabernacle (See description of the main components in (Exodus 30:34). This flower has crown-shaped pink blossoms and heart-shaped leaves.
Habitat: Galilee, Turkey
Cympopogon (קנמן בשם)
The Hebrew word keneh bosem of Exodus 30:23 is viewed by some scholars as a reference to sweet calamus. Other scholars dispute this and suggest that it is a reference to cympopogon or to the hemp plant. It is mentioned there as one of a number of plant, tree or animal-derived materials out of which a sacred anointment oil was to be produced. This oil was to be used to consecrate various utensils and furnishings inside the Holy Ark. The cympopogan is also known as ginger grass.
Habitat: North India and Iran.
Frankincense (לבנה)
The frankincense is mentioned in Exodus 30:34 as one of a number of plant-derived materials from which a sacred incense for the Holy Tabernacle was to be produced. The yellow or red resin of this plant has a bitter taste and is highly aromatic.
Habitat: Somalia, India.
Galbanum (חלבנה)
The Hebrew term chelbanah of Exodus 30:34 has been viewed by some scholars as a reference to the galbanum gum. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that it is a reference to the gum of the storax tree. The term appears in the text which lists the types of plant derived-materials from which the congregation was to produce a sacred incense for the Holy Tabernacle. The Galbanum looks like wild parsley and it is used to produce a pungent waxy resinous gum.
Habitat: Egypt.
Hemp (קנמן בשם)
The Hebrew word keneh bosem or fragrant cane of Exodus 30:23 is viewed by some translators as a reference to the sweet calamus or canna as it is known in other sources. Some scholars dispute this and suggest that keneh bosem is a reference to cympopogon or to the hemp plant. The above is mentioned as one of a number of plant, tree or animal-derived materials out of which a sacred anointment oil was to be produced. This ointment was to be used to consecrate various utensils and furnishings inside the Holy Ark.
Saffron
The saffron was one of a number of materials that were listed as being required for the production of sacred incense for the Holy Tabernacle (See description of the main components in Exodus 30:34). Saffron is obtained from the stigma of the saffron flower and has yellow dyeing properties.
Habitat: Israel, Mediterranean countries.
Storax (נטף)
The Hebrew word nataf in Exodus 30:34 is viewed by some scholars as a reference to the wood or the gum of the balsam tree. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that it should be viewed as a reference to the gum of the storax. The nataf is mentioned in the text which lists the variety of materials from which the congregation is to produce a sacred incense for the Holy Tabernacle. The storax is a gum-producing tree.
Habitat: Gilead, Mount Carmel and Mount Gilboa.
