What’s In a Name?

The word sabra is used to describe a Jew born in Israel.  Besides its obviously significant symbolic use in Israel, it is a word that denotes exactly the same thing In both the Arabic and the Hebrew languages.   The word “sabra” is the name of the cactus known in English at “prickly pear.”  It’s a tough plant that survives harsh climatic conditions.  It’s found all over the world... from Arkansas to Afghanistan to Australia. It is said to be the most widespread and most heavily utilized cacti on the planet.  It is a source of food for humans and for domestic animals. In a particularly contentious confusion of cultures and religions in the Middle East, anything that brings Arabic and Hebrew cultures and language together has to be appreciated.

I acknowledge that neither the succulent nor the five cacti in my Blog today are prickly pears.  I’m fascinated by cacti and can’t resist photographing them... especially at this time of year when most of them are blooming in San Diego. You may remember that one of last week’s pictures was of a fancy prickly pear in front of the Davids’ house on Montclair Street.