Thirty-five years ago, a young Israeli couple named Dan and Orly Dakar decided to make their dream come true – to make Israel flow with some of the luxuriant fragrances of old that we read about in the Bible.Dan, a passionate Zionist, believed that some of the ancient ointments and precious spices mentioned in biblical accounts could be recreated with the resources found in the land of Israel.Three decades later, they have built their company Ein Gedi Cosmetics into a thriving business which specializes in producing authentic biblical perfumes and anointing oils made with virgin olive oil from olive tree orchards in the Galilee, and scented with local essences and extracts from flowers native to the Holy Land. The company also makes a line of beauty products from Dead Sea minerals.“Our vision today remains the same,” Orly Dakar recently told The Jerusalem Post Christian Edition. “We want to renew the traditional industry of the Bible. This is the land of milk and honey, the land of olives. These are all meant for the wellness of body and spirit.”It seems the Dakar’s were correct, as the land of Israel is rich in resources, yet very few use them for their benefits. Ein Gedi Cosmetics, however, is different, and is one of the few Israeli cosmetic companies – if not the only one – whose unique product line is completely manufactured in Israel. In addition, the products include no animal ingredients and none are tested on animals.From day creams, night creams, eye creams and body lotions, to Dead Sea mineral soaps and black mud soaps, the company offers a very wide variety of products. However, it is not these beauty treatments that draw most people’s attention.Many of the plants and flowers native to the Land of the Israel contain natural essences that give perfumes and anointing oils special characteristics which merited mention in the Bible.The Israeli-made perfumes represent celebrated traditions from the times long ago when they were considered very precious commodities. This included the plant and flower extracts in myrrh, frankincense and spikenard, the Rose of Sharon and Lily of the Valley, and many others.Even the bottles designed by Ein Gedi Cosmetics are inspired by ancient perfume bottles found at archeological sites throughout the Holy Land.In Exodus, we read about God’s command to make sacred anointing oils: “Also take for yourself quality spices – 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon, 250 shekels of sweet-smelling cane, 500 shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil.” (Exodus 30:22-25) Made with virgin olive oil from Israel, the special line of anointing oils produced by Ein Gedi Cosmetics are a link to ancient times, when they were used for religious ceremonies and prayer. They were integral to sacred Jewish rituals, like the ordination of priests and the consecration of the implements of worship in the Tabernacle. The primary purpose of using holy anointing oils was to set apart the anointed persons or ritual objects as kodesh – holy unto the Lord.One of the most memorable biblical passages about anointing oils concerns the young boy who went on to become Israel’s beloved King David: “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.” (1 Samuel 16:13)In the New Testament, we also read of anointing oils being used for yet another purpose – to pray for the healing of the sick.“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up... ” (James 5:14-15) The olive is mentioned many times in the Bible and is one of the Seven Species to be found in the Land of Israel. The powers and benefits of olive oil have been known and used for generations, as it is considered the finest of all oils. It also contains many vitamins (A, D and K) and is rich in antioxidants (vitamin E). Used on skin, it restores softness and vitality. That is why Ein Gedi soap bars are as much as 85% pure olive oil.But Ein Gedi Cosmetics contributes to the community with more than just its high-quality beauty products.“We want to help the local people even through providing jobs,” Dakar stated with pride. “We know that many people are in need, and this is just a simple way to help them. The simple jobs, like packing and stocking the cosmetics, are easy enough that we can hire the mentally disabled to do them, and they all enjoy it! They’re very grateful they can work here.”Another benefit to the local community is a company program which provides counseling and lectures for women who have experienced abuse and neglect in their lives. While helping them to manage their finances and family life, quite a number of these women have also found jobs at the factory run by Ein Gedi Cosmetics.So the perfumes and anointing oils of Ein Gedi Cosmetics are being produced by local Israelis and according to ancient biblical traditions, while also being enjoyed around the world. Thousands of tourists visiting Israel every year take home the fragrances and spices of the Holy Land which have been cherished since the times of Israel’s patriarchs, kings and prophets. They remain a valuable and fragrant aroma from the past.
Ein Gedi anointing oils are made of plants from the Bible (photo credit: ESTERA WIEJA)