Hebrew: דַּפְנָה, עָר אָצִיל, ar atsteel, dafnah
Family: Lauraceae
Scientific name: Laurus nobilis L.
True Laurel is considered part of the natural oak forest. The plant (often a large shrub or small tree) requires a humid climate for optimal development, conditions found in Israel primarily in the Carmel and Galilee.
Besides using its wood for kindling, True Laurel leaves are rich in volatile (essential) oils. The leaves can be dried, preserved, and added to various dishes as bay leaves. They can also be used for medicinal purposes.
Isaiah mentions the oren tree as part of the satirical description of idolatry. Oren is also mentioned in the Mishnah as a plant that can be used for kindling and as one of the trees whose wood was used to burn the parah adumah, the red heifer, and to light torches when the month was sanctified. The oren was also mentioned in the context of medical use after steeping in wine. The primary identification of the oren tree from the verse in Isaiah is true laurel. The source of the modern Hebrew name, alei dafnah, originates from the Greek “daphne.”
Tree or vegetable: Tree.
Orlah (waiting three years for fruit): Since the plant is used for flavoring imparted by its leaves, and not fruit, most posekim maintain that orlah laws do not pertain to the leaves.
Terumot and ma’aserot (offerings and tithes): Since the leaves are used only to impart flavor and are not eaten on their own, there is no obligation to separate terumot and ma’aserot. Nevertheless, some are stringent and separate terumot and ma’aserot without a blessing.
Kedushat shevi’it (Sabbatical year sanctity):The leaves of the true laurel have shemitah sanctity, similar to other herbs.
להצלחת משפחת פולק וילדיהם
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לע”נ שלמה בן נתן חרזי שולמית בת חיים חרזי להבדיל להצלחת משפחת חרזי
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לברכה ולהצלחה למאיר ושרה ביננשטוק וילדיהם
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