Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden, Pittsburgh

The Rodef Shalom Congregation has a Biblical Botanical Garden next to it. Rabbi Walter Jacob and his wife Irene started the garden in 1987. They planned for the congregation to work together on the garden as equals, so creating fellowship and community. The plan included bringing some of the Biblical realities from the past to us in the present.

A sign leading the way

Irene and Walter Jacob

Our first stop was their representation of the Dead Sea, the end of a stream that winds through the garden from their Lake Galilee. 

Dead Sea area

Looking up to the River Jordan

The euonymus compacta celastraceae represents the Burning Bush that Moses saw when he received his commission to return to Egypt and lead the Chosen People out of bondage. Behind it and to the right is hosta liliaceae, representing the River Nile.

Burning bush

On the path is a pergola overrun with grape vines. Grapes are a common fruit and used for making wine. Noah was said to be the first to have a vineyard and to make wine. The pergola provides very nice shade.

Grapes

Coming out of the vine-covered pergola

An herb garden represents many plants of the Holy Land, including poppies and almonds. This part of the garden is recommended for quiet meditation.

Plants of the Middle East

Chamomile and mustard were both used as folk medicines in Biblical times. 

Medical garden?

At the highest point of the garden is their Sea of Galilee, featuring fresh water pumped in and some fish swimming around. The waterfall makes a pleasant sound to add atmosphere to the soothing surroundings.

Sea of Galilee

The desert and its vegetation played a big part in the passage from Egypt to the Promised Land. A rock garden presents a desert-like environment. 

The rock garden

The whole garden is not very big but is a relaxing (and free) place to visit near the universities of Pittsburgh.