Earth-based Magickal Judaism, often know as Jewitchery - writings, rituals, midrash, magick, prayers, and more…
I’ve been drying this pomegranate and it just looked so pretty with the jasmine flower that I had to share! The green plant is a nutmeg geranium that is in a hanging basket just above. If you need further orientation, the jasmine plant is on the table just below the window.
Back to your regularly scheduled programming!
A while ago I emailed the guys at Shmaltz Brewing and said they needed to show their Jewitch sisters some love with a Halloween Jewitch brew! Well, they responded, and I don’t think “Bubble, Bubble, Oy and Trouble” is exactly in the production line yet — but they did respond.
They noticed my love of pomegranates and told me that their 10th anniversary beer will feature the juice of 10,000 pomegranates. With that big of a sacrifice — I knew I had to check it out. This past week my wonderful husband found a bottle and we used it for Shabbat! I exchange borei pri hagafen for ha’adamah v’eytz” — fruit of the earth and tree. I must say — it’s a darn nice beer. Complex without being “winey” — which is impressive for a Jewish brew (you kind of expect whining).
In very tiny print on the label there’s this explanation of the origin and meaning behind the beer:
Creation, 1996, C.E.: On the floor of a San Francisco Mission District loft, intimate friends squeeze luscious pomegranates by-hand for the first 100 cases of HE’BREW’s Genesis Ale. Evolution, 2006: Shmaltz Brewing renews this sacred covenant, sacrificing over 10,000 pomegranates for our 10th Anniversary offering, Genesis 10:10. Revelation, on-going: In Jewish tradition, pomegranates symbolize righteousness, with seeds said to number 613, the total commandments in Torah. In Deut. 8:8, pomegranates, barley and wheat prove the bounty of the Land of Milk and Honey. In Exod. 28:33, G-d orders them embroidered on the robe of the High Priest. Kings 7:42 describes them sculpted on Solomon’s Jerusalem Temple. The calyx atop the fruit inspired the original Jewish crown. One Persian hero of myth consumed a pomegranate and became invincible. Muhammad instructed: “Eat the pomegranate, for it purges the system of envy and hatred.” Newlywed Greeks eager for a family crush one under-heel for fertility. Buddha cured a child-devouring demoness of her evil habit by instructing her to eat a pomegranate. Whether for knowledge or temptation, for virtue or strength, for art or for love
– Behold Genesis 10:10, the crowning glory to a decade of brewing …with chutzpah! To Life…L’Chaim!
Jeremy Cowan, proprietor
So, why am I shilling for them? Frankly, it’s because they make a good product and make me proud. They have sense of humor about being Jewish without putting it down. It’s not self-deprecating. It’s more, “Say it loud — I’m Yid and Proud.” That’s not something you see every day.
BTW — I found “Christ that’s Good Beer” on their site and almost died laughing. Normally, I don’t pinch graphics, but since they sent me the beer graphics I’m going to grab this one too, since I’m talking nice about them. 
Technorati Tags: shmaltz brewing, beer, judaism, pomegranates, genesis 10:10, chosen brew
Most of the traffic to this site this time of year is people looking for instructions on how to peel pomegranates or things to do with them. Peeling a pomegranate is a metaphor for a spiritual way of interacting with the world which respects and embraces the many ways people can approach the same thing and the way that one person can embrace something on many levels at once.
It seems appropriate then to share Pomegranates by Ann Kleinberb, an amazing book about pomegranates that revels in them from historical, cultural, beautifying, and eadible perspectives. The cover photo alone, shows the inherent natural beauty of this fruit. In the book are 70 fabulous recipes using pomegranates and pomegranate juice as well as tips on buying them, using them, and interesting tidbits about them.
Author Ann Kleinberg, an Israeli author, has created the ultimate ode to the pomegranate in its many forms. If you are looking for historical or cultural information about the pomegranate it’s a great book. If you are looking for recipes, it’s a great book. If you just want advice on how to buy and peel it — it’s a great book!
And for those who just would like to see instructions on how to peel this phenomenal fruit — here you go.
How to Peel a Pomegranate
Take the pomegranate and cut of the crown, being careful to not cut into seeds. Score the rind from crown to base into 6 sections. Place pomegranate in large bowl filled with cold water. The pomegranate should float upright. If you like, spin the pomegranate in the water and focus on it while meditating. Leave the pomegranate in the water for 5-10 minutes. Then peel of the rind and let the seed drop to the bottom. You can then skim the rind off the top and drain the water, leaving just the seeds.
Technorati Tags: pomegranates, cook books, reading list, cooking
I was reminded that tomorrow is the Yartzeit of Rachel Imeinu - Rachel the Matriarch. I wanted to take the opportunity to repost my ritual for honoring ancestors. It is one that I use both for Rachel Imeinu and when honoring ancestors at Samhain or other rituals.
May the blessings of our mother be carried through to each generation.
Needs:
1 Pomegranate
1 Tea Light
Small stones to represent specific ancestors
Small dish (big enough to hold all items listed above)
How to Peel a Pomegranate
Take the pomegranate and cut of the crown, being careful to not cut into seeds. Score the rind from crown to base into 6 sections. Place pomegranate in large bowl filled with cold water. The pomegranate should float upright. If you like, spin the pomegranate in the water and focus on it while meditating. Leave the pomegranate in the water for 5-10 minutes. Then peel of the rind and let the seed drop to the bottom. You can then skim the rind off the top and drain the water, leaving just the
seeds.
Place your tealight in the dish and pour the pomegranate seeds around it. I often use only half of the seeds. Place your stones either along the edge of the dish or inside it against the tealight, whatever works for you. Place the dish on the altar and light your candle. The seeds are for the generations of ancestors, the stones for those you wish to specifically honor.
When the ritual is over be sure to dispose of the pomegranate seed properly. Burn them in the fire or throw them to the earth. Do not eat them casually. If you choose to dispose of them by ingesting them, it should be a deliberate act by which you share yourself with the generations.
I love Flickr. I’ve only posted a few photos myself, but I love exploring what other people have done. There is some extraordinary photography and artwork there.
One of the nice things is being able to share what I see. If you read this site you know what “Peeling a Pomegranate” is all about. The first level is admiring the beauty on the surface. How beautiful are these images?!
Please note — these photographs are the property of their respective authors. Please contact them for permission to reuse in any way.
www.flickr.com
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