Water

Wow. This week's parasha is one action packed parasha. So many things happen that it is easy to lose control of the story. Let' see. We start with the red heifer. There's a weird tale. What is that about? (asked Torah scholars all through the centuries.) You're still reeling from that one when Miriam dies and takes her magic well with her. Then there's the famous "hit the rock for water" episode that eventually results in Moshe and Aharon not entering the land. Then there's an issue with Edom who wouldn't let them go through his land. Then Aharon dies. Then the people complain (a brand new novelty) and G-d strikes them with snakes. Then they sing about a well. Then the Emorites won't let them through. Then they sing again. Then they annihilate Og the giant. Then they arrive at the place where they will cross the Jordan into the land. Phew.

And all through the parasha, from start to finish, like a thin, silvery thread, flows the issue of water. What is it about water? It's this super weird element that never does anything the way it's supposed to. Different from other elements and yet, we cannot live without it. Nobody can. Animals in the wild, who are usually mortal enemies, will announce a truce so they can share a water source. Wars have been fought for the right to use wells. One of the first means of chemical warfare was the poisoning of wells. More than half the population of earth does not have enough clean water to live on. The Torah is constantly busy with water. The patriarchs were forever digging wells everywhere. One of the worst threats G-d sends down is "I'll stop the rains". And the main complaint the Israelites have is "no water". 

The Torah is said to be like water. Those who said it meant that we cannot live without it. But let's look at the other attributes of water: 

1. The Torah is certainly different from every other book in the world and it never does what you'd expect it to do.

2. People have certainly fought wars in regards to the Torah. 

3. Don't know about wild animals but people will put aside their differences to come together and study Torah (I know my friend and I do).

4. There have been quite a few incidents throughout history where people tried to "poison" the Torah as part of warfare.

5. Certainly more than half the population of the earth does not have "access" to the Torah. (Just because it's available in print, does not mean you have access to it.)

And maybe it is up to us, who enjoy direct access to it, to share the source of living water with others.

Certainly it is up to us to preserve it, or we risk running out of it.

Summer is officially here. Drink deep and plenty. Of water and of Torah.

Here is a drink that is very simple and very popular in the countries that the Israelites tried to pass through:

Mint water

Fill a pitcher with cold water. Rub plenty of fresh mint (1 sprig per cup of water) between your fingers for a few seconds and then put it into the pitcher. Let it sit for an hour or so (in the fridge) then drink. You can add honey but really it is way more refreshing without. At the beginning this may be a little weird tasting because it's different but it is very good on hot afternoons (think mint julep...)