How is salt understood and what does it sybolise.
If I remember right, it is thrown over the shoulder at weddings. Why? What does that mean?
Isn't there something salty at Passover too? What does it sybolize?
Any other Jewish uses or meanings for salt appreciated too.
Anonymous
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Salt over the shoulder is not a wedding thing. It's a superstition, throwing salt in the Evil Eye to make it go away.
Passover salt water -- symbolizes both the sea and tears.
Salt is used to extract the blood from meat, in order to obey the rule not to eat any blood.
One more thing -- I have no idea what Paddy's talking about or where he got it from.
Mark S, JPAA
I don't recall anything about throwing salt over one's shoulder at a wedding (certainly not at mine!).
You are right, it's used at Passover. Salt water is made and parsley dipped into it. The salt water symbolizes the tears of the Israelites resulting from their bondage in Egypt.
Other than that I don't know of any other uses.
Anonymous
Salt, as you know, is used to enhance flavor. Add to it in Jewish meaning the fact that salt represents purity and the quality to preserve. The use of it in wedding is to preserve the flavor and purity of the first love.. At passover, salt is added to water with the objective to remember the tears shed during captivity in Egypt. There is another beautiful meaning added by Jesus to salt. When he was delivering his famous Sermon of the Mount to a crowd of Jews, he said to them: "You are the salt of the earth." He meant to say that the Jews are what gives flavor to the world and preserves it so that it keeps going. This is somehow related to God's promise to Noah that He would no longer destroy Humanity again. The guarantee would be Israel, the human salt originated from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Mr. "Diamond"
It's in the Bible..you will have to look in the old book..."covenalt of "salt" and the priests used salt also...it does not contain "iodine" or anything..and therefore "Kosher" like "pickles"(dills, meat, etc.) in Matt; "you are the "salt of the earth?"(representative of Gods' seasoning in the earth..) "..conversation,seasoned with 'salt".." (grace, love, politeness,etc.) Salt has much spiritual as physicsl meanings and characteristics...(blessing,life,valuable $, etc.) "Peace!"
Anonymous
Salt is used in many instances. For example, when an army crushes his enemy they would throw salt all over their agricultural fields, then it would die. Also salt is looked upon as preserving something like a marriage. Also if we loose our saltiness or testimony then we are as good as to be thrown on the ground for everyone to walk over.