(Contemporary shmitah observance; March 2008)
Bananas—For blessing, not for slapstick, even on Purim
(Botanical basis of the blessing said before eating a banana; March 2008)
Mushrooms—Selfish, helpful, and rocket fuel
(Mushrooms in halacha, kabbalah, social criticism, and biology; March 2008)
A tree that helps animals prepare for Purim?
(Elephants and the marula fruit; March 2008)
Timber for the tabernacle… Today
(Midrashic and botanical evidence of the source of the lumber used in building the mishkan; December 2007; last revised September 2024)
Ashkelon—Ancient Rome’s source for gourmet produce
(Ancient Israeli scallion and shallot exports; December 2007)
Charoset for health
(Possible health benefits of cinnamon; August 2007)
The US Postal Service and a Jerusalem impostor
(The sunflower and the Jerusalem artichoke; August 2007)
How was your olive day? Tales and confusion of the white squill
(Identity and symbolism of ‘chatzav’; August 2007, revised September 2024)
Rav Kook plants a tree
(On the religious significance of planting trees in Israel; March 2007)