Why the Hidden City Was Named Luz the Almond

Yalkut Shimoni on Nach 38:6

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: why was its name called Luz? Because everyone who entered it sprouted commandments and good deeds like an almond tree [luz]. The rabbis said: just as a luz [almond, or hazelnut] has no opening, so no person could find the opening to the city's gate. Rabbi Ishmael says: a luz tree stood at the entrance of the city. Rabbi Elazar in the name of Rabbi Pinchas says: a luz tree stood at the entrance of a cave, and the luz was hollow, and they would enter through the luz into the cave and through the cave into the city, as it is written, "Show me, I pray, the entrance to the city" (Judges 1:25).

Themes

DeathWisdomMiracles

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