Sage

Hebrew: מַרְוָה, marvah
Family: Labiatae (Lamiaceae)
Scientific name: Salvia sp.

Sage is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.5 m tall. The plant has a woody base, from which green branches emerge bearing leaves and inflorescence. After the flowering season, these branches dry up and the renewal buds for the next year’s flowering branches develop in their place. The leaves are covered with a white fuzz, among which are glands that contain essential oil. The leaves and stems have a pleasant fragrance that is released when they are crushed between the fingers. Often, during flowering, small apple-like galls develop at the stem tips.

In Israel, the genus Salvia includes more than 20 varieties that are very common throughout the country, most of which grow wild. The most well-known are three-lobed sage and fragrant sage. Today, sage is used as an ornamental plant and as an herb for tea infusions.

The Sages mention a group of several species, all of which grew wild. They were not planted, but were gathered in the field. These herbs were used for their fragrance and as spices for various purposes: firewood, animal fodder, or human food. These plants included eizov, si’ah, and kornit. There are several plants, most from the Labiatae family, that can be identified as these plants – sage included.

Kilei zera’im & kilei hakerem (interplanting – annuals & grapevines): Sage is a woody perennial, so it is halachically classified as a tree. It is permissible to plant it next to edible annuals and even next to or under grapevines.

Terumot & ma’aserot (offerings and tithes): Since the leaves are used only for their flavor and are not eaten on their own, they are exempt from the obligation of terumot and ma’aserot. Some are stringent and separate terumot and ma’aserot without a blessing.

Blessing for fragrance: Borei atzei besamim (Creator of fragrant trees).