Carrying Their Sheaves
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
—Psalm 126:5-6 (NRSV)
I saw this photo in the newspaper today and it gave me such a good feeling I just had to post it. It is taken by Gil Cohen Magen for Reuters near Modiin, Israel, and depicts the ritual harvest of wheat that will be used to make the unleavened bread for Passover. I love the look of relaxed happiness on the face of the man on the left. Considering the constant threats and attacks suffered by Israel it's nice to see an image of joy from there. I also love how this religious ritual connects their bodies with the earth in a way that could not be more direct. These men actually go in the field and cut the wheat by hand and carry it out on their backs. Shortly before Passover they will bake the wheat into matzo bread, and the fruits of the earth, hallowed by God, will become a part of them.
