Comments on: Holy Water? http://jcarrot.org/holy-water Jews, Food, and Contemporary Issues Mon, 21 May 2012 04:07:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Eli Winkelman http://jcarrot.org/holy-water/comment-page-1#comment-8492 Eli Winkelman Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:58:49 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/holy-water/#comment-8492 I would say that water is much more than just a drink. As pointed out by Adam, it puts fires out, it supports our other forms of food, it makes up most of our bodies... I would say that water is much more than just a drink. As pointed out by Adam, it puts fires out, it supports our other forms of food, it makes up most of our bodies…

]]> By: Yisrael Medad http://jcarrot.org/holy-water/comment-page-1#comment-8491 Yisrael Medad Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:51:48 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/holy-water/#comment-8491 Why should there be a special water blessing? There's one blessing for bread, although there are several types of flour, one for grains & cereals although there are five. There's a blessing for wine and grape produce and another for every other type of drink. How many blessings do we need? Why should there be a special water blessing? There’s one blessing for bread, although there are several types of flour, one for grains & cereals although there are five. There’s a blessing for wine and grape produce and another for every other type of drink. How many blessings do we need?

]]> By: Eli Winkelman http://jcarrot.org/holy-water/comment-page-1#comment-8487 Eli Winkelman Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:43:10 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/holy-water/#comment-8487 Thanks for the comments, Adam. I look forward to seeing people's water blessings! Thanks for the comments, Adam. I look forward to seeing people’s water blessings!

]]> By: Adam Edell http://jcarrot.org/holy-water/comment-page-1#comment-8406 Adam Edell Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:58:55 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/holy-water/#comment-8406 I have often thought the same thing, Eli: why no special blessing for water? Surely our ancestors knew we would not be here without it. We certainly wouldn't be having these discussions about organic and locally grown fruits and vegetables or kosher, pastured beef and chicken if there weren't any fresh water to supply our crops and animals. We think critically about the food we're putting into our bodies, which are about 3/4 water, but how often do we think about the quality and replenishment of our water sources? Here in California, wildfire season is in full swing, due in part to declining rainfall over the last few years. In addition, as we enter August, residents will be asked to cut back on water consumption, and we're expecting food prices to increase as a result of water scarcity. Are we treating water like the precious, yes, holy resource it is? I would like to invite readers to submit their blessings for water, to formally recognize its inextricable and holy place in our lives and ecosystem...I've been trying to find some meaningful words each time I pour a glass, take a shower, give the garden a good drink... I have often thought the same thing, Eli: why no special blessing for water? Surely our ancestors knew we would not be here without it. We certainly wouldn’t be having these discussions about organic and locally grown fruits and vegetables or kosher, pastured beef and chicken if there weren’t any fresh water to supply our crops and animals. We think critically about the food we’re putting into our bodies, which are about 3/4 water, but how often do we think about the quality and replenishment of our water sources?

Here in California, wildfire season is in full swing, due in part to declining rainfall over the last few years. In addition, as we enter August, residents will be asked to cut back on water consumption, and we’re expecting food prices to increase as a result of water scarcity. Are we treating water like the precious, yes, holy resource it is?

I would like to invite readers to submit their blessings for water, to formally recognize its inextricable and holy place in our lives and ecosystem…I’ve been trying to find some meaningful words each time I pour a glass, take a shower, give the garden a good drink…

]]> By: Leah Koenig http://jcarrot.org/holy-water/comment-page-1#comment-8304 Leah Koenig Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:10:11 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/holy-water/#comment-8304 Thanks Rachel - but the question is my wonderful co-worker Eli's (see the byline) :) Thanks Rachel – but the question is my wonderful co-worker Eli’s (see the byline) :)

]]> By: Rachel B. http://jcarrot.org/holy-water/comment-page-1#comment-8303 Rachel B. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:05:05 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/holy-water/#comment-8303 Good question, Leah, I often think about that. I did a program at my shul once on Simcha Beit Hashoeva, the water holiday during Sukkot and wondered that same question. Water has other special powers in Judaism, though, it imparts ritual purity - think mikvah and washing our hands al netilat yadayim. About shehakol, the blessing, shehakol nihyeh b'dvaro, means that everything in the world was created by God's word - which is one of the foundations of Judaism. Good question, Leah, I often think about that. I did a program at my shul once on Simcha Beit Hashoeva, the water holiday during Sukkot and wondered that same question. Water has other special powers in Judaism, though, it imparts ritual purity – think mikvah and washing our hands al netilat yadayim.

About shehakol, the blessing, shehakol nihyeh b’dvaro, means that everything in the world was created by God’s word – which is one of the foundations of Judaism.

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