Comments on: In Praise of Pomegranates http://www.peelapom.com/reading-list/in-praise-of-pomegranates/ Earth-based Magickal Judaism, often known as Jewitchery - writings, rituals, midrash, magick, prayers, and more... Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:24:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Carly (Chava Chai - חוה חי) http://www.peelapom.com/reading-list/in-praise-of-pomegranates/#comment-58985 Carly (Chava Chai - חוה חי) Sun, 02 Dec 2007 18:55:22 +0000 http://www.peelapom.com/?p=113#comment-58985 Sibyl No need to apologize for taking the time to leave a long comment! I greatly appreciate it -- and I look forward to reading your blog too. I think my rationale for the pomegranate of Aaron's robe is more practical. I honestly think that the pomegranate really just meant a round bead. That's why they are both blue and red. In modern Hebrew grenades are called pomegranates! Not nearly as lovely as the whole 613 mythology -- but sometimes I just get practical. It's one of the reasons I love pomegranates is that there are many levels on which to explore them -- just like torah and spirituality! Sibyl

No need to apologize for taking the time to leave a long comment! I greatly appreciate it — and I look forward to reading your blog too.

I think my rationale for the pomegranate of Aaron’s robe is more practical. I honestly think that the pomegranate really just meant a round bead. That’s why they are both blue and red. In modern Hebrew grenades are called pomegranates!

Not nearly as lovely as the whole 613 mythology — but sometimes I just get practical.

It’s one of the reasons I love pomegranates is that there are many levels on which to explore them — just like torah and spirituality!

]]> By: Sibyl http://www.peelapom.com/reading-list/in-praise-of-pomegranates/#comment-58734 Sibyl Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:42:12 +0000 http://www.peelapom.com/?p=113#comment-58734 I LOVE your blog; your open and candid sharing of your own process and the interesting bits of information you share here. The pomegranate theme inspires me a great deal because it has always been my favorite fruit. Some years ago, in my pursuit of spiritual understanding and theology (long boring story :) I had the opportunity to study more about Judaism with Dr. Rebekah Twersky (Hebrew University Jerusalem). She was very fluent in aramaic (and of course Hebrew)and was particularly knowledgeable in Essenic culture. One of my (off topic) questions to her was "WHY the pomegranate on Aaron's robe?" She explained that while there could be many responses to the question based upon interpretive difference; there is symbolic meaning for the choice of pomegranate. For one thing, there are 248 positive commandments for humanity; and 365 negative ones; the Torah itself has 248 columns read right to left, and it is understood that one seeking God would read the Torah every day in a 365 day year. The total number of 248+365 = the number 613. This number 613 can be viewed mystically, literally and Kabbalistically (she explained in general); and further reduced to the number 10; which in turn suggests the ten commandments (condensed). She said that the pomegranate is believed to hold 613 seeds; and while in school in Jerusalem, one of her teachers had the class count the seeds of a pomegranate! Hence, she said, this is why pomegranate is seen as at least one (of many) symbols of Torah; and why chosen as the decorative on the hem of Aaron's robe. Others may see this differently but I just thought that was so interesting on so many levels. I am not Jewish but I believe the culture (and orthography of the language)extraordinary and beautiful. Once I recieved a book in Hebrew called the "Book of Letters". When this was given me, the person (studying to be a Rabbi) said, "when you read this, do not just look at the positive space; look also at the negative space behind the letter".... I always think about that. Thanks for letting people share on your blog by the way! Sorry for the length but the theme inspired me. :) HUGS--- Sibyl I LOVE your blog; your open and candid sharing of your own process and the interesting bits of information you share here. The pomegranate theme inspires me a great deal because it has always been my favorite fruit. Some years ago, in my pursuit of spiritual understanding and theology (long boring story :) I had the opportunity to study more about Judaism with Dr. Rebekah Twersky (Hebrew University Jerusalem). She was very fluent in aramaic (and of course Hebrew)and was particularly knowledgeable in Essenic culture. One of my (off topic) questions to her was “WHY the pomegranate on Aaron’s robe?” She explained that while there could be many responses to the question based upon interpretive difference; there is symbolic meaning for the choice of pomegranate. For one thing, there are 248 positive commandments for humanity; and 365 negative ones; the Torah itself has 248 columns read right to left, and it is understood that one seeking God would read the Torah every day in a 365 day year. The total number of 248+365 = the number 613. This number 613 can be viewed mystically, literally and Kabbalistically (she explained in general); and further reduced to the number 10; which in turn suggests the ten commandments (condensed). She said that the pomegranate is believed to hold 613 seeds; and while in school in Jerusalem, one of her teachers had the class count the seeds of a pomegranate! Hence, she said, this is why pomegranate is seen as at least one (of many) symbols of Torah; and why chosen as the decorative on the hem of Aaron’s robe. Others may see this differently but I just thought that was so interesting on so many levels. I am not Jewish but I believe the culture (and orthography of the language)extraordinary and beautiful. Once I recieved a book in Hebrew called the “Book of Letters”. When this was given me, the person (studying to be a Rabbi) said, “when you read this, do not just look at the positive space; look also at the negative space behind the letter”…. I always think about that. Thanks for letting people share on your blog by the way! Sorry for the length but the theme inspired me. :) HUGS— Sibyl

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