This not a new story, but it is a news story. Apparently, it's true, and its possibilities and its symbolism are stunning.
Rabbi Zvi Miller, who used the term "a Date with Destiny" as the headline of his daily e-mail on Mussar, explained it this way:
Amongst the ruins atop Masada, a mountain fortress overlooking the Dead Sea, archeologists have unearthed a two-thousand year old date pit. The pit was found in an ancient jar during excavations in the 1970's. A few years ago, it was given over to the expert care of Dr. Elaine Soloway, a specialist in the area of ancient plants, to see if it would germinate. She was highly skeptical that any life was left in the parched, marble- white seed.
In spite of her doubt, in 2005 she made an attempt at revival by soaking the date stone in a bath of warm water and fertilizers. She then planted it on Tu'B'Shavat, the new year for trees. "After six weeks the bed cracked and then two weeks later the first leaves sprouted. "It was like a miracle!" said Dr. Soloway.
The tree is growing today at the Arava Institute, where Dr. Soloway vigilantly watches over her charge, which she has named "Methuselah." Now that the seedling has grown into a sapling with extraordinary long palm tree leaves, Dr. Soloway professes that "I think it has a future."
Methuselah underwent chronological testing, using the radioactive isotope Carbon-14, which confirmed that the tree grew from a seed that lived when Judea was a flourishing Jewish community, some 2000 years ago. That species of dates, which was known to be uniquely succulent and sweet, is extinct. However, hopefully in a few years, as Methuselah continues to grow, the Judean date will reemerge like a phoenix from the ashes.
The story's symbolism is obvious -- especially at this time of year, the Jewish soul's ancient essence germinating anew, promising a sweetness untasted for two thousand years, is wonderful to contemplate.
Especially if you like dates. With destiny.
Have a good week.
--T.A.
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