Israeli President Receives Fruits and Vegetables In Honor of Shavuot

Tonight is the start of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot-- both a harvest festival and a celebration of the receiving of the Ten Commandments. Today's Jerusalem Post reports that on Thursday a delegation from the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association presented Israeli President Shimon Peres with four baskets of fruits and vegetables. Shavuot was the first day on which individuals could bring the first fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem. (Background). The Jerusalem Post explains: "Since there is no longer a high priest and a Temple in Jerusalem to which farmers should bring their harvest offerings, the recipient of the first fruits of the harvest of the seven species is the head of state, namely the president."