Biblical and Talmudic Botany Walk with Jon Greenberg

Biblical and Talmudic ethnobotanist Dr. Jon Greenberg will lead two walking tours of the Gardens at 11 AM and 2 PM. Come learn how an understanding of the natural environment of the Biblical world can help explain the metaphors and symbolism of ancient prophetic, moral, and legal language and the role of food and agriculture in Jewish culture and history. We'll find out how a culture war between beer and wine drinkers led the Israelites into Egyptian slavery, why a common pasture weed became a symbol for social corruption, how an Egyptian god wound up as a bagel topping, why many Bible translations say that Noah built his ark from the wood of a non-existent tree, and how a Jewish exile taught Americans that tomatoes are not poisonous.

----

All program fees include same day admission to the Garden, rain or shine (a $12 value per adult).

Please email gardenprograms@berkeley.edu to inquire if ASL Interpretation is available.

Cancellation Policy: Notification two weeks prior to program receives full refund; less than two weeks receives a one-time credit toward another Garden program to be used within 90 days; less than 48 hours from program start, no refunds or credit will be given for cancellations or absences.

In the event that the Garden has to cancel a program you will be offered a full refund or the option to transfer to another program.