The ancient Israelites adapted to their

environment as all successful

civilizations must do to survive.

Where there was only grass and rocks,

shepherds tended their flocks of sheep

and goats.

Where there was a body of water filled with fish,

they worked as fishermen.

While the men worked as shepherds or fishermen,

the women did most of the household work including

grinding grain, making garments and making

cheese and butter.

The women gathered water from wells.

The ancient Israelite farmers followed a seasonal

schedule for harvesting and planting.

According to the Gezer Calendar, which was written around

925 B.C., the olive harvest lasted two months.

Grains like barley and wheat were planted. They

were harvested to be ground and

baked into breads.

The ancient Israelite farmers and shepherds had many

foods available to them including wheat, barley,

lentils, grapes, olives, nuts and milk for cheese and

butter. They developed a strict code which told

them which animals could be eaten. They had

strict rules about cleanliness and food preparation.