Artzabox: Experience The Judaean Desert

Artzabox is the way to experience the Holy Land without leaving your home! My family loved the last Artzabox we got and were so excited to see what was in this one! The contents of Artxaboxes change quarterly so there are always new items from different areas of the Holy Land to discover. Each box contains an item for the soul, an item to inspire, one to learn, one to taste, one to share, one for the body, one to cook, and one to cherish.

The items in the boxes are made by local artisans and they include stories about the people that make many of the items. What a wonderful way to connect with the Holy Land and its people!

The name Artzabox is indicative of their mission. Artza is Hebrew for “towards the land”, inspired by this verse in Genesis.

“I will bless those who bless you… and all the families of the earth shall be blessed through you… 
and they went out towards the land“.

Genesis 12:3-5

The current box is from the Judaean Desert, an area where so many events in our Bible occurred. The Judaean Desert is Southeast of Jerusalem, between there and the Dead Sea. It includes areas discussed in the Bible such as Jerusalem, Ein Gedi, Jericho, and Hebron. It’s also home to the Qumran Valley, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered!

It was in the Judaean Desert that Jesus was tempted by Satan in Matthew 4 and where God spoke to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:9-21. It’s where Joshua led the Hebrew people in their conquer of Jericho (Josh. 10) and the location of the Cave of Machpelah, where Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah are buried (Gen. 23, 25:7-11, 49:28-33).

Use coupon code HEBREW20 to receive a 20% discount 
on your Artzabox subscription!

Here are the unique items in this box from the Judaean Desert:

Coffee from Agrocafe

I was so excited to see this in the box when I opened it. Not only do I love coffee, I also love fresh coffee, especially from Israel! I found this coffee to have a smooth taste – not bitter or too strong, but quite flavorful!

Agrocafe roasts coffee in a non-traditional way, resulting in a rich and unique flavor. The story of Hanan, the artisan who created this delicious coffee, is included. Through making great coffee, his goal is ultimately to improve the lives of coffee growers around the world.

Dead Sea Scroll Ceramic Replica

If there’s one thing I love more than coffee, it’s Scripture. I’ve spent most of my free time in the last 8 years studying the Hebrew language and it’s a passion of mine. I had to visit when the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit came to a museum near me so I could see them in real life! Found in caves in the Qumran Valley in the Judaean Desert in 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls were preserved in ancient jars so we could read these ancient scrolls and confirm the authenticity of our Bible today.

Zak, a student of Biblical history, is the artisan who made this beautiful Qumran jar replica. His family has lived in the Land of Israel for over 400 years.

This jar is made to have the look and feel of the jars found in the Qumran Caves. It even contains a picture of the scroll of Habakukk, rolled up inside the jar, just as the scrolls were when they were discovered! This is one item I will treasure forever!

Silan Date Honey

Most things don’t grow well in the desert but dates are an exception! Date Palms grow well in the Judaean Desert, making dates widely used in the area. With a syrup-like consistency, this date honey is ideal to drizzle on your morning oatmeal or into a cup of hot tea. Included is a recipe for Silan Date Cake with simple instructions, using this honey as an ingredient. I’ll update when we make it and let you know what we think.

Olive Oil Jug

Included in the Premium box is a handmade ceramic olive oil jug. This attractive jug is decorated with a small olive branch and is closed with the cutest little cork. Believe it or not, this beautiful handmade jug is dishwasher safe and non-toxic.

The artisan, Batya, who created this jug is a mother of 6 and lives in the hill country above Itamar in the West Bank. She and her family spend time gardening and planting trees in addition to creating beautiful ceramics.

“Shalom” Wall Tile

Framed in olive wood grown in Israel, this beautiful handmade decoration will put your love for Israel on display! It’s small enough to put in just about any spot and will go with many different types of decor.

This tile is made by the same ceramicist that made the bowl that came in last quarter’s Artzabox from Galilee. He’s obviously quite talented!

Rosemary Gold-leaf Cooking Salt

This luxurious salt blend is made by 424 Salt, using pure, high-quality salt from the Dead Sea. Their name, 424, comes from the depth of the Dead Sea, 424 meters. Their inspiration for their seasonings came to these three friends while they traveled and camped in the Judeaean Desert and cooked on the coastline of the Dead Sea.

Their business has a social mission too, as they employ special-needs adults and support them in their independence and skill development.

This salt is delicious as well as beautiful. We just happened to be having steak the night I opened it and it was a wonderful complement! The gold leaf ads a sparkle to this salt, making it an attractive addition to any dish.

Lavender Patchouli-infused Dead Sea Bath Salts

Also from the Dead Sea come these Bath Salts from Yonat Midbar. Yonat is the creator of this product and the name of her company means “Yonat of the desert” or “desert dove”. Yonat has a passion for the desert land and studied traditional Bedouin medicine there.

I wish I could share the scent of this bath salt with you over the internet. It smells wonderful – almost intoxicating! It’s a perfect blend of relaxing lavender and earthy patchouli. The salt contains 15 minerals to rejuvenate your skin for a serene soak in the tub.

Judaean Desert Postcards

These postcards show beautiful pictures of the Judaean Desert area. One shows the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus was tempted by Satan. The other is of Masada, an ancient castle that became a refuge for the Jewish community in 70 CE.

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