Dudaim- Segulah of the Emahot

[Dudaim]

The Torah (Breshit 30:14) tells us of the Emahot's (Rachel and Leah) attempt to overcome infertility by the use of a plant which in Hebrew is called "Dudaim", or in English: Mandrake (Mandragora,Mandragora officinarum ).

We read that the plant was gathered "in the days of wheat harvest", which here in Israel falls between Pesach and Shavuot. We go out every year at this time, crossing the hills with our flocks

The ripe fruits have an intoxicating, sweet aroma, which only lasts a few days, until the birds and wild animals eat all of them.

We pick the ripe fruits, dry them in the sun, and then separate out the seeds.

How is the plant used? Here we find a wide variety of explanations, though from studying the Torah verses, it is clear that neither the roots or the flowers is used. There are wise men (and wise women) here, who counsel barren women to ingest a small quantity of the seeds (all parts of the plant are considered toxic), with a certain timing, and with certain intentions.

Since we have not received the above wisdom, we can not counsel on the exact way of use.

All we can add is that it does not seem that the Dudaim are a fertility drug, and that the Torah is not suggesting a prescription to solve a medical problem.

It seems that both Rachel and Leah felt that something was lacking in the closeness of their relationship with Ya'akov, which was certainly on an extremely level of Ruchaniot. Some barely felt lack in the synchronicity of their emotional connection, that the shared use of the Dudaim with their unique fragrance might help overcome!

You will need to search out the appropriate wise-person on your own, but we can send you the seeds:

www.dudaim.org
We will be glad to hear suggestions, and respond to questions.

From the time of the Avot and Emahot:
mutual respect, commitment, affection, love, closeness,
planting the seed, conception, pregnancy, full term, and the joy of birth.