Jun 30, 2025
In a historic and spiritually significant development, Israeli milling company Shtibel has announced it will begin producing semolina that meets the exacting standards required for Temple offerings, including the minchah (meal offering) and shtei halechem (Two Loaves) offering presented during Shavuot. This marks the first time in millennia that a commercial mill in Israel will manufacture flour that aligns with halachic (Jewish legal) purity laws for use in the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple). The initiative, sparked by decades of research by Tzvia Svir of Kfar Zeitim, involves a unique dry-milling process to prevent ritual impurity—a critical requirement for Temple service. After years of persuasion and experimentation, Shtibel invested in this technology and successfully produced a small but pure batch of Temple-grade semolina.
The project is not driven by profit but by purpose. Shtibel, a 90-year-old family-owned company, sees this effort as a generational investment in Israel’s spiritual heritage. Despite complex technical challenges—such as sourcing new wheat from the current season and ensuring absolute dryness—the team is confident it can meet the halachic and logistical demands. David “Fridi” Friedman, Shtibel’s head of R&D, emphasizes that this is about more than flour; it’s about reconnecting with Jewish roots and reviving a sacred tradition lost for 2,000 years. As Friedman notes, “We’re not predicting the Temple’s return, but we’re preparing. It’s an honor to be part of something this meaningful.” For many, this initiative is more than an agricultural achievement—it’s a tangible sign of redemption beginning to sprout once again in the Land of Israel.
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SOURCE: Israel 365 News