For the source text click/tap here: Rosh Hashanah 23
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The Mishna says that they brought beams of erez – cedar for the torches used for the bonfire. Rav Yehudah says there are four types of erez tree: erez, katrom, oil tree, and brosh. The Gemora cites three possibilities for the katrom tree: Rav says it is idra, Rabbi Shaila's bais medrash taught it is mavliga, while some say it is gulmish.
When Rav Dimi came, he said that three more species were added later: alon, almon, and almug trees, which are, respectively, botmim, balutim, kesisa- coral or coral wood.
Apropos the daf cites a relevant verse from Isa 33:21
כא כִּי אִם-שָׁם אַדִּיר יְהוָה, לָנוּ, מְקוֹם-נְהָרִים יְאֹרִים, רַחֲבֵי יָדָיִם; בַּל-תֵּלֶךְ בּוֹ אֳנִי-שַׁיִט, וְצִי אַדִּיר לֹא יַעַבְרֶנּוּ.
21 But there the LORD will be with us in majesty, in a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.
What is this tzi adir? Rav said: This is a great ship [burnei] used to collect coral from the sea. Rashi identifies this as a dromon ship...from Greek δρόμων, dromōn, "runner")
We explore these ancient ships that harvested coral and the uses and abuses of this precious life form.