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.
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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
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!