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D o n 't go n ea r t h e w at e r, D o n 't yo u t h i n k i t 's s ad, W h at 's h ap pen e d t o t h e wat er, O u r wat er's go i n g b ad. - - B e ac h B o ys Li k e a b ri dg e o ve r t ro u bl e d wat er, I wi l l l ay me do wn. - - Si mo n & G arf u n k el W i t h j o y s h al l yo u dr aw W e a ll kn o w t h e fa ct s. 70 % o f t h e w o r ld is co ve r e d b y w a t e r. A n d, a s a d a st a r d ly St a r Tr e k a lie n o n ce o b se r ve d, h um a n s ar e ug ly b a g s o f m o st ly w a t e r. He w a s r igh t, a t le a st, in p a r t o u r b o d ie s a r e 66 % w a t e r. Wa t e r is e sse n t ia l t o life, a n d o ft e n co n sid e r e d a b a sic h u m a n r ig h t. The prevalence of water in our physical lives is mirrored in many spiritual per - sp e ct ive s. So m e o f t h e re lig io u s u se s o f w a t er a re d e p ict e d in t h is issu e, t ho u g h it is b y n o m e a n s e xh a u st ive o f t h e m. W e w o u ld b e r em iss t o o ve r lo o k t h e u se o f w a t e r in B u d d h ist fu n e r a ls, o r t h e w a t e r p u r ifica t io n th a t o ccur s in t h e da ily m o r n ing pr a ye r an d cle a n sin g r it u a l in Hin d u ism. Th e p r im a r y sym b o l o f Ta o is m is w a t e r. Ge n e r a lly, w a t e r se r ve s a s a r e p r e se n t a t io n o f cle a n sin g, h e a lt h, a n d life. L ife, h o w e ve r, t e n d s n o t t o b e t h e fir st w o r d a sso c ia t e d w it h w a t e r in r e ce n t d a ys. It m a y in t e r e st yo u t o kno w t h a t t h e J a n u ar y R a d i x issu e o n r e lig io n a n d w a t e r wa s r e ad y t o p r in t wh e n t sun a m i wa ve s co llid e d w it h Sou t h A sia n co un t r ie s. M an y o f th e w or d s a nd im a g e s fo u n d h er e t a ke o n a n e w lig h t w h e n view e d in t h e co n t e xt o f t h is d isa st e r. R e lig io u s t e xt s, t o o, t a ke o n n e w sig n ifica n ce. Th e a cco u n t o f t h e g r ea t flo o d is co m m o n a m o ng ma n y w o r ld r e lig io n s. J ud a ism, C h r ist ia n it y, a n d Isla m a ll h a ve va r ia t io n s o n t h e No a h s a r k t e llin g. Hin d u ism a lso h a s a flo o d st o r y, a s d o m an y Na t ive C a n a d ia n a n d A m e r ica n t r ib e s. Na r r o w e sca p e s b y sm a ll g r o u p s o f h u m a n s a n d t h e r e su r g en ce o f co m m u n it ie s fo llo w in g m a ss flo o d ing ar e co mmo n e le m e n t s in t h e se ta le s. A lso com m o n is t h e se n se o n e g e t s fr o m t h e se a cco u n t s t h a t p o w e r g r e a t er t h a n h um a n it y d o e s e xist. A s w e a r e n o w p a i n f u l l y a w a r e, s o m e t h i n g a s l i f e -g ivin g a n d se e m ing ly b e n ig n a s w a t er h a s t h e a b ilit y t o a lso t h r e a t e n a nd d e st r o y t h a t life. Ir o n ica lly, t h e m o st im m e d ia t e n e e d fo r su r vivo rs o f a d isa st e r t h a t in vo lve d a n abundance of water is more water clean water to drink and bathe with. If the signifi - ca n ce o f sp ir it u a l w a t e r is t o b e m a in t a in e d, we m u st n e ve r for g e t ab o u t t ho se w h o ar e perishing for lack of physical water. To this end, this issue of Radix also includes informa - t io n o n cur r e n t lo ca l a n d in t e r na t io n a l t su n am i re lie f e ffo r t s. It is o ur h op e t h a t t h o se wh o t a st e sp ir it u a l w a t e r w ill co n t in u e to fe e l r e sp onsib le t o h e lp m e e t b a sic p h ysica l n e e d s a m o n g a ll p e op le. A i m e e P a t t e r s o n R e a d R a d i x is p r o d u ce d b y M cgill st u d e n t s fo r M cgill st u d e n t s, so... t h e v i e w s e x p r e s s e d a r e t h o s e o f o u r c o n t r i b u t o r s a n d ar e n o t ( n e c e s s a r i l y ) s h a r e d b y M c G i l l C h a p l a i n c y S e r v i c e s o r i t s c h a p l a i n s. W e r e p r o u d t o p r i n t o n r e c y c l e d p a p e r. Un le ss yo u sa ve u p yo u r R a d i x e s fo r a r a in y d a y, p l e a s e d o u b l e t h e r e c y c l i n g b y h a n d i n g t h i s m a g a z i n e o n t o a f r i e n d. (Th e n m a ke su r e t h e y recycle, too!) S u b m i s s i o n G u i d e l i n e s : W e w e lco m e st u d e n t a r t icle s, a r t, r e vie w s, r e sp on se s, p h o t o s, co m ics, p o e t r y, a n d a n yt h in g e lse yo u m ig h t t h i n k o f. S u b m i s s i o n s f r o m a l l f a i t h p e r s p e c t i v e s a r e e n - c o u r a g e d. A r t w o r k m u s t b e a c c e s s i b l e i n b l a c k -a n d - w h it e o r g r a ysca le. A r t icle le n g t h is a b o u t 5 0 0 w or d s. Su b m issio n s a r e su b je ct t o e d it in g fo r le n g th, co nt e n t, a n d st yle. C o n t r ib u t or s r e t a in co p yr ig h t, bu t R a d ix r e t a in s t h e r ig h t t o r e pr in t su b m issio n s in o u r on lin e a r ch ive s. Su b m issio n s m a y b e m a de t o t h e e d it o r a t r a d i x @ y o u r s. c o m. V isit R a d ix o n lin e a t h t t p : / / w w w. m c g i l l. c a / c h a p l a i n c y / r a d i x / W a n t t o r e sp o nd t o so m e t h ing yo u se e in R a d i x? W r it e your letter to the editor: r a d i x @ y o u r s. c o m. W e m a y p r i n t i t!!! " # # $ % # & ' ( ) * +$, " + $ $ ' $ " + + -, + %.. + ) " / A b o u t th e c o v e r : Th e co ve r is a n im a g e o f an em b r yo in a d r o p le t. Th e w a t e r is o ve r la id w it h a n im ag e o f st e m ce lls. Th e e m b r yo is in t h e st a g e o f g r o w t h w h e r e it lo o ks kin d a f ish y, l ike a B e lu g a W h a le. Ou r e v o l u t i o n a r y a n c e s t o r s w e r e w a t e r b o u n d or ig in a lly so u p a n d t h e n t a d p o le s, fish, a m p h ib ia n s, e t c. Th e e m b r yo a ct u a lly lo o ks, a t t im e s, t a d p o ly, fish y, a n d f r o g g y t h o u g h t h e se a r e ju st a p p e a ra n ce s. Th e fo ssil r e co r d a n d e le g a n ce o f e vo lu t io n ar y t h e ory a r e m o r e com p e llin g e vid e n ce s t h a t w e lit e r a lly e m er g e d from water. While in religious contexts this can some - times be a controversial idea, the beauty and inter - co n n e ct io n o f life g ive s m e m o r e fa it h in Go d. In fa ct, t h e m or e I le ar n a b o u t scie n ce t h e m o r e I fe e l aw e a t the force that makes such wondrous things from wa - ter. A bo u t t he a r t i s t : I n d i S a m a r a j i v a l i v e s i n C o - lo m b o, Sr i L an ka. Sin ce t h e t su n a m i, h e h a s b e e n h a r d a t w o r k f o r S a r v o d a y a, a S r i L a n k a n r e l i e f o r g a n i - za t io n (w w w. sa r vo d a ya. o r g ). P le a se ke e p Ind i in m in d a s h e d e a ls w it h t h e fa llo u t o f t h is t r a g ed y. Sa r vod a ya i s S a n s k r i t f o r A w a k e n i n g o f a l l. Th e R adix e dit o rial t e am, alo n g wit h t h e st af f at M cg ill Ch aplain cy Se rvice s, wo u ld like t o e xt e nd de e p e st sym pat h ie s t o all t h o se aff e cte d by t h e t su n a m i. In t h o u ght s, praye rs, an d ot h e r e xpre ssio n s o f f a it h we will be re m e m be rin g yo u. Th e M cg ill In t e rn at io n al St u de nt Ne t wo rk (M ISN ) wil l b e co o rdin at in g st u de nt gro u p re lie f e f fo rt s. If yo u wo u ld like t o o f f e r t i m e o r m o n e y p h o n e t h e m a t 3 9 8 -M I S N ( 3 9 8-6 4 76 ) o r e m ail m isn @ ssm u. m cgill. ca. 2 Th e h ap pi n es s o f t h e d ro p i s t o di e i n t h e ri v er. - - Al-G h az al i St o n es are h o l l o wed o u t by t h e c o n s t an t dro ppi n g o f wat er. - - O vi d B e p r ai s ed, M y Lo rd, t h ro u gh Si s t e r W at er; s h e i s ve ry u s ef u l, an d h u mbl e, an d p rec i o u s,

wat er f ro m t h e wel l s o f del i v er an c e. - - I s rael i Fo l k So n g W ad e i n t h e w at er, G o d 's go n n a t ro u bl e t h e wat er. - - Af ri c an A me ri c an Spi ri t u al E n dl es s n i gh t s o n an en dl es s s ea, W h e re n o t h i n g l i ves b et w een u s, J u s t t h e A n d t h e LO R D w ill co n t in u a lly g u id e yo u, A n d sa t isfy yo u r d e sir e in sco r ch e d p la ce s, A n d g ive st r e n g t h t o you r b o n e s; A n d yo u w ill b e like a w a t e r e d g ar d e n, A n d like a sp r in g o f w a t e r wh o se w a t e r s d o n o t fa il. T h e B i b l e, I s a i a h 5 8 : 1 1 Th e r e is a d e lu g e o f r e fer e n ce s t o w a t er in t he J e w ish B ib le : w a t e r p u r ifie s; w a t e r is p u n ish m en t ; w a t e r is sa lva t io n ; D ivin e w isd o m w ill co ve r t h e e a r t h like w a t e r. To t a l im m er sio n in a pr o p e r ly pr e p a r ed p o o l o f w a t e r, a m ikva h, is p a r t o f th e co n ve r sion p r o ce ss. So m e J e w ish m e n im m er se in a m ikva h e ve r y d a y, so m e w ome n o n ce a m o n th. E v e r y y e a r o n t h e e v e n i n g o f D e c e m b e r 4 t h (D ece m b e r 5 t h on t h e ye a r b e fo r e a le a p ye ar ), w e J e w s st a r t p r a yin g fo r w a t e r. Th e w in t e r o f t h e so la r ye a r h a s b e g u n a nd r a in is n e e d e d. No t t h a t C a n a d a ha s a n y sh o r t a g e, b u t t h is p ra ye r h a s a mo r e in t e r n a t ion al a sp e ct. It r e m in d s u s o f t h o se w h o n e e d r a in t o live o r wh o ar e in d a n g er fr o m t o o m u ch r a in. A s w e p r a y on Su kko t (Ta b er n a cle s), t h e fe st iva l a t t he b e g in n in g o f th e r a in y se a so n, m a y t h e r a in b e fo r life an d n o t fo r d eat h. P r a yin g for r a in a lso h a s a sp ir it u a l a sp e ct t h a t I w o u ld like t o sh a r e. I n D e u t e r o n o m y 1 1 : 1 0-1 2, a s t h e J e w s p r ep a re t o e n t er t h e P r o m ise d L a nd, t h e y a r e t o ld t h a t t h is la n d is su p e r io r t o t h e la n d o f Eg yp t, w h e r e t h e y h a d b e e n sla ve s. In Eg yp t t h e r e is a bu n d a n t r ive r wa t e r a t t he le ve l o f t h e fie ld s a n d life is e a sy. Th e P r o m ise d L a n d, o n t h e o t h e r h a nd, i s p r a i s e d a s a p l a c e o f h i l l s a n d s t r e a m s w h e r e o n e i s c o m p l e t e l y d e - p e n d e n t o n r a in. A t fir st g la n ce, t h is se e m s like a g o o d ar g u m en t t o r e t u r n to Eg yp t. Th e r e t h e y ca n fa r m in t h e se cu r e kn o w le d g e t h a t t h e r e w ill b e n o d r o u g h t. In th e la n d o f C a na a n, t h e y w ill n e ve r be se cu r e. W h y w o u ld t h is d e p e n d e n ce o n r a in b e pr e se n t e d a s a n ad va n t ag e? T h e a n s w e r i s i n t h e c o n t i n u a t i o n, w h e r e w e s e e t h a t G o d c o n - st a n t ly scr u t in ize s t h e P r o m ise d L a n d. Th e d e p e n d e n ce o n r a in co n n e ct s t h e la n d t o Go d. M o r e sp e cifica lly, it co n n e ct s t h e p e o p le o f t h e la n d t o Go d. Go d se n d s ra in d e p en d e n t o n t h e p e o p le s m e r it s. Th e se n se o f d e p e n d e n cy o n Go d fe lt in t im e s o f imp e n d in g d ro u g h t b r ing s t h e p e op le t o im p r o ve t h e m se lve s m or a lly a n d se e k t o r e co nn e ct t o t h e ir C r e a to r. In Eg yp t, t h e fe e l in g o f co m p le t e se cu r it y le a d s t h e p e o p le t o forget their Creator who gives them all they have. There is nothing stopp in g t h e m fr o m de sce n d in g in t o im m or a lit y. W it h n o t h in g e xist e n t ia l t o p r a y fo r, t h e p e op le o f t h e la n d ar e u n like ly t o g r ow sp ir it u a lly. P r a yin g fo r r a in, e ve n th o u g h w e a r e in Ca n a da, r e m in d s u s t h a t w e a ll d e p e n d o n Go d for a ll w e h a ve. It r em in d s u s t o se e k t o gr o w m o r a lly a n d sp ir it ua lly. It r e m in d s u s t ha t h a rd t im e s in o u r live s ca n b e a n o p p o r tu n it y t o r e co n n e ct t o ou r C re a t o r. I m g o i n g d o w n t o t h e c o o l, c o o l w a t e r A w a y f r o m t h e r a g i n g f i r e A w a y f r o m t h e s t r i f e a n d s l a u g h t e r A w a y f r o m t h e r a g i n g d e s i r e I m g o i n g d o w n t o t h e c o o l, c o o l w a t e r I m t r y i n g t o s t a r t a n e w I m n o t s u r e w h a t t o d o I l o o k t o t h e w a t e r, c a n i t i n s p i r e? W h e n i t o f f e r s a r e f l e c t i o n D o e s i t o f f e r m e p r o t e c t i o n A c l e a n s i n g, a c o n n e c t i o n T o a l l t h e p l a c e s w a t e r t o u c h e s E a c h l i t t l e d r o p, a t l e a s t s u c h i s T h e i d e a f l o a t i n g i n m y h e a d O r r i s i n g a s s t e a m l i k e w o r d s I v e s a i d A s t h e w a t e r s m e t b y f i r e W h e r e d o e s t h i s r i v e r g o? I s t h e r e a n y w a y t o k n o w? W i l l I b e d r a g g e d b e l o w B y t h e u n d e r t o w? L e t i t s w a t e r s c l o s e o v e r m e A l t h o u g h I d o n t w a n t t o d r o w n B u t l e t i t s c l e a n s i n g s e t m e f r e e B y l o s i n g m y s e l f I m a y b e f o u n d P a u l B e a u l i e u P au l, a M c Gi l l al u m n u s, no w s t u di e s w at e r at t h e UQA M s w i m m i n g po o l. L ivin g cr e a t u r e s a r e n o u r ish e d b y fo o d, a nd fo o d is n o u r ish e d b y r a in ; r a in it se lf is t h e w a t e r o f life, w h ich co m e s fr o m se lfle ss w o r sh ip a n d se r vice. B h a g a v a d -G i t a The theme for the next issu e o f R a d i x is R e l i g i o n a n d S c i e n c e a n d T e c h n o l o g y C o m in g t o a st a n d n e ar yo u in la t e Fe b r u a r y! In t e r e st e d in t h e r e la t io n sh ip b e t w e en r e lig io n a nd scie n t ific r e se a r ch o r t e ch no lo g ica l p r o g r e ss? C on t r ib u t e! A n y su b m issio n s sh o u ld b e se n t t o r a d i x @ y o ur s. c o m n o la t e r t h a n Fe b ru a r y 1. R a b b i S a m m y J a c k m a n R ab bi Jac k m an i s a gr a du at e o f M at h s t u di e s at Oxf o r d Un i v e r s i t y, an d T al m u di c s t u di e s at Ye s h i v at Har E t z i o n i n I s r ae l. He i s c u r r e n t l y t he R ab bi f o r Hi l l e l M c Gi l l. an d pu re. - - F ran c i s o f As s i s i E v e r y h u m a n s h o u l d h a v e t h e i d e a o f t a k i n g c a r e o f t h e e n v i r o n m e n t, o f n a t u r e, o f w a t e r. S o u s i n g t o o m u c h o r w a s t i n g w a t e r s h o u l d h ave s o m e k i n d o f f eel i n g o r s en s e o f c o n c ern. So me 3

bre ak ers o n t h e o c e an, Se pa rat i n g yo u an d me. - - E l t o n J o h n O C an ad a! W h ere pi n es an d m apl es gro w, G re at p rai ri es s pre ad, an d l o rdl y ri vers f l o w. - - O C an ad a I n my mi n d I s ee a bi g g reen t r ee, An d a ri ve r f l o wi n There in some sweet, gentlest intimacy behind the veil did I behold your handmaids: tenderly smiling... unmurmuring, patient with timelessness, knowing no expectancy, no frontier. - - - Ho w I en t e r e d, Mo t h e r, in to yo u r co mp a ssio n 's ch a m b e r I kn o w n o t- - - b u t t h er e, a ll su ffe r in g le ft m e : so m e an cie n t m e mo r y u n r e co lle ct a b le ca lle d m e h o m e. A n d a s lo ve d oe s n o t a llo w a p a st so d ist a n t ly p a st t o b e gr a sp e d a s p a st p r e se n ce, t h is b o d y o f yo u r e a r t h 's lo n g in g s yie ld e d u p it s h e ar t 's h a n d s a n d b r e a t he d r e le a se. M o t h e r, t h e r e, i n y o u r c o m p a s - sio n 's ch a m b e r in yo u r h a n d m a id s' ca r e, it kn e w p e a ce. W h a t e ve r h o p e w a s in m y so u l before this time became yours - - -and it endures in you. Now buoyant upon somehow unkn o w a b le, in d isce r n ib le se a s' vis io n s' fo r m s I flo a t- - - a n d n e it h e r sle e p n o r a w a ken in g d o I kn o w : m y M o t h er 's sa n ct u a r y is t h is sw e e t d r e am. I fe e l t h e la t e n e ss, t o o, o f th e su mm e r 's b r e a t h, a n d t h ' e xp e n sive n e ss o f it s fe cu n d it y. Sa y a m o n g t h e co u n t le ss fe a t h e r y se e d s t h a t d r ift o n ly o n e w e r e t o la n d a n d g r o w... W h o w o u ld it b e? - - - W h y, i t w o u l d b e y o u! - - - sp e a k yo u r h a n d m a id s in t h e ir in t im a cy. Su r r e n d er in g t h o u g h... m y so u l h e e d s a w h isp e r in g fr o m t h e Un kn o w n : It will be Me... Th e h ig h e st g o o d is like w a t e r. W a t e r g ive s life t o t h e t e n t h o u sa n d th in g s a n d d o e s n o t st r ive. It flo w s in p la ce s p e o p le r e je ct a n d so is like t h e Tao.... Fish ca n n o t le a ve d e e p w a t e r s, A n d a co u n tr y's w e a p o n s sh o u ld n o t b e d isp la ye d.... Why is the sea greater than the streams? B e ca u se it lie s b e lo w t h e m. T a o T e C h i n g, f r o m c h a p t e r s 8 a n d 2 6 M i c h e l l e R e b i d o u x M i c h e l l e i s a P h D 3 s t u de n t an d s e s s i o n al l e c tu r e r i n R e li gi o u s St u di e s. He r f o c u s i s ph e n o m e n o l o gy o f r e l i gi o n. Fo r a m o m en t, le t m e t a ke yo u t o a sp o t in P e ru, w h e r e t h e A n d e s M o u n t a in s a r e h o m e to a gr o u p o f In dig e n o u s p e o p le s. Th e A n d e s ar e e xt r em e ly d r y la n d s, wh e r e r a in fa ll is u n r e lia b le a n d d ro u g h t is n o t u n co mm o n. No w, le t s t r a ve l 1 2, 0 00 km a w a y to where the Burunge live, a semi-a r id r e g io n o f ce n t r a l Ta n za n ia. Th e r e, r ive r s d r y u p b e t w e e n Ju n e a n d Oct o b er a n d t h e r e is o n ly sp o r a d ic r a in fa ll e ve n in t h e r a in y sea so n. In b o t h r eg io n s, a n o ve r w h e lm in g n u m b er o f p e o p le a r e fa r m er s, w h o se su r viva l is d ir e ct ly t ie d t o t h e la n d. A n t hr o p o lo g ist s livin g am o n g b o th g r o up s have noted that no element is believed more important than wa - t e r. Th u s, r a in w a t e r t a ke s o n t r e m e nd o u s sp ir it u a l sig n ifica n ce, im b u e d w it h life fo r ce a n d d ivin it y. A mo n g t h e B u r u n g e, wa t e r is like n e d t o sa liva, u r in e, a n d b lo o d, w h ile t h e In d ig e n o u s o f P e r u r e fe r t o it a s m o th e r s m ilk. Here in Canada we are truly wealthy with water, in a way unparalleled around the world. According to Environment Canada, we have approxi - mately 2 million lakes, significantly more than any other country. We also have more wetlands than any other country, covering close to 1.5 million km² 2 5 % o f a l l w e t l a n d s i n t h e w o r l d. O u r r i v e r s p r o d u c e 7 % o f t h e w o r l d s r e n e w a b l e w a t e r, a n d o n l y B r a z i l a n d R u s s i a h a v e m o r e r e n e w a b le fr e sh w a t e r t h a n w e d o. L i t t l e w o n d e r, t h e n, t h a t w a t e r i s s o c h e a p. C a n a d i a n s p a y l e s s f o r w a t e r t h a n c i t i z e n s i n n e a r l y a n y o t h e r d e v e l o p e d cou n t r y. So C a n ad a is w e a lt h y w it h w a te r, a ll r igh t a n d C a n a d i a n s k n o w i t. O n a v e r a g e, e a c h o f u s u s e s c l o s e t o 1 5 0 0 c u b i c m e t e r s o f w a t e r p e r ye a r, s e c o n d o n l y t o o u r n e ig h b o u r s t o t h e so u t h. B r o ke n d o w n, t h a t s 3 2 6 lit r e s p e r p e r so n e a c h d a y, t w ice a s m u ch a s t h e a ve r a g e Eu r o p e a n. Fe w o f u s e ve r g ive m u ch t h o u g h t t o wa t e r co n se r va t io n, a n d e ve n fe w e r u n d e r st an d w h y t h is is a p r o b le m. I s r a e l i s, l i k e C a n a d i a n s, l i v e i n a d e v e l o p e d c o u n t r y w h e r e t h e y e n j o y m a n y o f t h e p r i v i l e g e s o f a F i r s t W o r l d l i f e s t y l e. W a t e r, th o u g h, is n e ve r t a k e n f o r g r a n t e d i n a c o u n t r y w h e r e o v e r 6 5 % o f l a n d i s d e s e r t. W h i l e w e C a n a d i a n s g o a b o u t o u r d a y w i t h l i t t l e r e g a r d t o w a t e r su p p ly, Isr a e lis ca n n o t a f f o r d t o b e s o c a r e l e s s. G o i n t o a n I s r a e l i p u b l i c r e s t r o o m a n d y o u l l s e e t h a t t o i l e t s h a v e t w o d i f f e r e n t f l u s h s e t t i n g s o n e r e g u lar, a nd o ne fo r lig h t e r l o a d s t h a t w a s t e s l e s s w a t e r. P e r h a p s C a n a d i a n s c o u l d l e a r n a t h i n g o r t w o f r o m t h i s. A c c o r d i n g t o E n v i r o n m e n t C a n a d a, a f u l l 3 0 % o f o ur d a ily w a t e r u se is lit e r a lly flu sh e d d o w n t h e t o ile t. So w h en it co m e s t o w a t e r, w e a r e bo t h o n e o f t h e w or ld s g r e a t e st p r o du ce r s a n d g r e a te st a bu se r s. L e t s t a ke n o t e o f s o m e o f t h e p e o p l e s l i v i n g a b r o a d, i n w h o m w e s e e s i g n s o f a d e e p c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e l a n d. T h a n k f u l l y, w e C a n a d i a n s a r e s t r a n g e r s t o d e ser t a n d d r o u g h t. Bu t in a t im e w h e n en vir o n m e n ta l d e g r ad a t io n is r a m p an t, a lit t le co n n e ct io n w o u ld n t h urt a n d w a t e r s e e m s a r e a s o n a b l e p la ce t o st a r t. Photo courtesy Sarvodaya B r e n t H a r r i s B r e n t i s a U2 A n t h ro po l o gy / Hi s t o r y s t u de n t. He h as be e n t o Is r ae l an d e xpe r i e n c e d t h e i r t o i l e t s f i r s t h an d. 4 s o rt o f res po n s i bi l i t y an d wi t h t h at, a s en s e o f di s c i pl i n e. - - 1 4 t h D al ai La m a Ten z i n G yat s o An d Al l ah h as c r eat ed f ro m wat er eve ry l i vi n g c re at u r e. - - Q u r'an 2 4. 4 5 Th er e i s n o t h i n g s o f t er an d we ak e r t h an wat e r, an d yet

f ree, W ai t i n u p ah ea d f o r yo u an d me, C o o l c l ear w at er. - - J o n i M i t c h el l I h ear d t h at i n h ea ven t h e s k y i s wat erl es s, t h ey s ay i t 's go n n a rai n t o mo r r o w, an d I a m u m br el l al es s - - M at t h ew G o o d I m s i n gi n i n t h e r ai n, J u s t Islam attributes great importance to water and, if asked, most Muslims will testify that they consume more water to cleanse and purify them - s e l v e s t h a n t o d r i n k. G o d c r e a t e d w a t e r p r i o r t o b u i l d i n g t h e h e a v e n s a n d t h e e a r t h, a n d b e f o r e H e h a d b e g u n t h e p r o c e s s o f c r e a t io n. He cr ea t e d A d a m fr o m a m ix o f w a t er an d e ar t h, a nd fr om him, cr e a t e d h is w ife Eve, a n d a ll o f m a n kin d. Go d e ve n d e scr ib e s t h e a b u nd a n ce o f w a t e r in P a rad ise, w h i c h w i l l b e e m b e d d e d w i t h i n f i n i t e r i v e r s, s u f f i c i e n t f o r a l l t o d r i n k, a s a s y m b o l o f H i s m e r c y. I n t h i s w a y, w a t e r i s t h e e s se n ce o f life, cr ea t io n, a n d P a r a d ise. It w a s n o t a m e r e co in cid e n ce t h a t t h e Ho ly Qu r a n, w it h it s in n u m e r a b le r e fe r e n ce s t o w a t e r, d e sce n d e d in t h e d e se r t e d la n d s o f A r a b ia, w h e r e w a t e r w a s h ig h ly va lu e d d u e it s sca r cit y. Th e d e sir e o f t h e p e o p le for P a r ad ise in t e n sifie d t h e ir fa it h. P u r i f i c a t i o n o f o n e s b o d y p a r t s t h r o u g h a b l u t i o n i s o b l i g a t o r y u p o n e v e r y M u s l i m b e f o r e p r a y e r, a n d h i g h l y r e c o m m e n d e d p r i o r t o t o u ch in g a n d r e a d i n g t h e Q u r a n, i n r e s p e c t f o r G o d s w o r d s. I t i s n o t s u f f i c i e n t t o h a v e g o o d i n t e n t i o n s ; o n e s h o u l d p u r i f y a n d a l e r t h i s b o d y p a r t s p r i o r t o c o m - municating with one s Creator through prayer. As well, one has to shower the entire body (Ghusl) to rinse any impurities resultin g fr o m in t e r co u r se, m e n st r u a t io n, or b ir t h, pr io r t o a pp r o a ch in g p r a ye r. A s it cle a n se s o n e fr o m imp u r it ie s, w a t e r is sa id t o w a sh a w a y o n e s sin s. God warns mankind about wrongness of wasting water, dis - t r ib u t in g it u n e q u a lly, a s w e se e m a n y p o lit icia n s d o, a n d a b o u t ke e p in g it se lfish ly t o o n e se lf, r e fu sin g t o sh ar e it w it h th ose in d e sp e r a t e n e e d o f it. He co n st a n t ly r e m in d s u s in t h e Qu r a n, t h a t He p o u r s a b u n d a n t r a in fr o m t h e skie s, g ivin g it q u a n t it y a n d t a st e. In d e e d, t h e w a t e r w e d r in k is s w e e t, w h i l e t h a t o f t h e s e a s i s s a l t y. R a i n w a t e r i s m o d e r a t e a n d s o o t h - in g, sa t isfyin g t h ir st a n d r e su scit a t e s d e a d ve g e tat io n, w h ile w a t e r floo d s are excessive, destructive, and mercilessly ravaging. Truly, God is per - fe ct ly a w a r e o f t h e q u a n t it y He p o u r s d o w n a n d o f it s q u a lit ie s. W h a t a g e n iu s C r e a t or is He w h o h a s cre a t e d t h e o cea n s, w h ich r e ce ive t h e su n lig h t, r e fle ct it w it h e q u a l d ist r ib u t io n, a n d emb a r k o n ce a g a in in t h e ir in fin it e cycle o f r a in a n d w a t e r. W a t e r is fr e e o f ch a r g e, ye t se ld o m d o w e r e m e m b er t o b e t h an kfu l. R e e m E i d R e e m i s a s t u de n t of o cc u pat i o n al t h e r apy at M c Gi l l an d a m e m be r o f t h e M SA. Photo by Amanda Unruh W a t e r is im p o r t a n t t o h u m a n it y, e ve n su sp e n d in g r e lig io u s co n sid e r a t io n s. W e li ve w a t e r y live s. W a t e r su st a in s a n d n o u r ish e s n o t o n ly u s, b u t a ll o f life. It i s t h e m e d iu m t h r o u g h w h ich a lm o st a ll t h e ch e m ica l t r a n sa ct io n s o f life a r e ca r r ie d o u t. L it t le w o n d e r, t h e n, th a t w a t e r h a s a cq u ir e d so m u ch ce r e mo n ia l im p or t a n ce in a ll cu lt u r e s a n d so cie t ie s. In it s a b u n d a n ce it is ra r e ly t a ke n fo r g r a n t e d. W h e r e it is ra r e, it is e le va t e d a lm o st t o t h e st a t u s o f g o d h o o d. A n im p or t a n t d ist in ct io n ma y b e m ad e b e t w e e n livin g w a t e r a n d de a d or st a g n an t w a t e r. L ivin g w a t e r flo w s, b r ing s life, a n d is vib r a n t, c l e a n, a n d v i t a l. H e n c e i t i s c o m m o n t o u s e f l o w i n g w a t e r t o w a s h. I t w o u l d h a r d l y b e a p p r o p r i a t e t o u s e s t a g n a n t w a t e r t o c l e a n s e o n e m u st u se livin g w a t e r. In t h e C a t h o lic C h u r ch, a b le ssin g sp o ke n o ve r wa t e r b y a n o r d a in ed m in ist e r (a p r ie st o r a d ea con ) t u r n s t h e w a t e r (t a p w a t e r, bottled water, e t c. ) i n t o h o l y w a t e r. P r i o r t o t h e V a t i c a n I I c o n f e r e n c e, t h e h o l y w a t e r u s e d i n t h e C a t h o l i c C h u r c h w a s m a d e f r o m a c o m b i n a t i o n o f sa lt an d w a t er : a s y m b o l o f l i f e a n d i n c o r r u p t i b i l i t y. S a l t i s a s e a s o n i n g, b u t a l s o a p r e s e r v a t i v e. S a l t c a m e t o b e s e e n a s a s y m b o l o f p e r m a n e n c e a n d w isd o m in Old Testament times. In a biblical story, Elisha casts salt into bad water to make it good. This is suggestive of a reason why salt and water came to be mar - r ie d in t h e C a t h o lic C hu r ch. Th e b le ssin g s sp o ke n o ve r h o ly w a t e r (a n d, w h e r e it is st ill u se d, t h e sa lt a d d e d t o w a t e r ) a r e e sse n t ia lly a n e xo r cism a g a in st t h e in flu e n ce o f e vil. M o r e im p or t a n t ly, h o w e ve r, t h e b le ssin g a lso in vo ke s Go d s b le ssin g o n w ho e ve r u se s it fo r t h e r ig h t p u rp o se s, o f co ur se! Th e u se s o f h o ly wa t e r i n t h e c h u r c h a r e v a r i e d, a n d t h e y i n c l u d e b a p t i s m a n d a s p e r s i o n o f t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n b y t h e p r i e s t. B a p t i s m a l w a t e r i s t y p i c a l l y b le sse d b y t h e p r ie s t o n H o l y S a t u r d a y. ( I t s h o u l d b e n o t e d t h a t a n y t y p e o f w a t e r i s s u i t a b l e f o r u s e i n b a p t i s m. ) I n t h e c o u r s e o f t h e b l e s s i n g, a r e f e r e n c e t o t h e f l o o d a s a s y m - b o l o f cle a n sin g a llu d e s t o t h e cle a n sin g fr o m o r ig in a l sin in b a p t ism. A sp e r sio n, t h e sp r in klin g o f t h e co n g r e g a t io n w it h h o ly w a t e r, is a lso m e a n t t o sym b o lize sp ir it u a l cle a n sin g (cf. P sa lm 51 : 7). In th e sa m e ve in, it is com m on t o fin d h o ly w a t e r p la ce d a t th e e n tr a n ce to m o st ch u r che s fo r t h e u se o f t h e co n g r e g a t ion. A n i n t e r e s t i n g u s e o f h o l y w a t e r i s i n e x o r c i s m. I t m a k e s s e n s e t h a t w a t e r a n d s a l t, s y m b o l s o f l i f e, p r e s e r v a t i o n, a n d i n c o r r u p t ib ilit y, w o u ld b e u s e d i n e x o r c i s m. W h e r e a s e x o r c i s m d o e s n o t n e c e s s a r i l y h a v e t o i n v o l v e m a t e r i a l o b j e c t s, t h e u s e o f h o l y w a t e r i s f r e q u e n t l y r e co m m e n d e d t o t h e b u d d i n g e x o r c i s t i n R o m a n C a t h o l i c t r a d i t i o n a s a n e f f e c t i v e a d j u n c t t o q u e n c h i n g t h e f l a m e s o f h e l l. S t. T h e r e s a o f A v i l a i s s a id t o h a ve r e m a r ke d t h a t t h e r e is n o t h in g t h a t pu t s e vil sp ir it s t o flig h t m o r e t h a n t h e u se o f h o ly w a t e r. R o be r t M u n ga R o b e r t i s Cat h o l i c Ch r i s t i an pe r s o n f r o m a c o u n t r y t h at gr o w s gr e at c o f f e e. t h ere i s n o t h i n g bet t er f o r at t ac k i n g h ar d an d s t ro n g t h i n gs. Fo r t h i s re as o n t h ere i s n o s u bs t i t u t e f o r i t. - - L a o -Tz u W at e r i s f u n da men t al f o r l i f e an d h eal t h. Th e h u m an ri gh t t o wat er i s i n di s pen s abl e f o r l ea di n g a h eal t h y 5

s i n gi n i n t h e rai n! - - G en e K el l y A n d J e s u s w a s a s a i l o r, W h e n h e w a l k e d u p o n t h e w a t e r, A n d h e s p e n t a l o n g t i m e w a t c h i n g, F r o m h i s l o n e l y w o o d e n t o w e r, A n d w h e n h e k n ew f o r c ert ai n, O n l y dro wn i n g men c o u l d s ee E d i t or s N ot e : T h e f o l l o w i n g e x c h a n g e o f i d e a s c a m e o u t o f a l i v e l y d i s c u s s i o n d u r i n g a R a d i x b o a r d m e e t i n g o n e F r i d a y a f t e r n o o n. W h i l e w e w e r e o r i gi n al l y pl an n i n g t o s e t u p a di al o gu e b e t w e e n t w o pe o pl e o f di f f e r i n g v i e w po i n t s, w e di s c o v e r e d t h at t h e r e w e r e s o m an y pe r spe c t i v e s o n t h i s s u bj e c t, e v e n am o n g o u r o w n e di t o r i al t e am, t h at a di al o gu e j u s t w o u l dn t do. W e al s o di s c o v e r e d t hat, f o r m o s t o f us, w h o w e ar e as r e l i gi o u s o r s pi r i t u al i n di v i du al s h as s o m e be ar i n g o n h o w w e l o o k at t h is i ss u e. So, f o r w h at it s w o rt h, h e r e ar e s o m e o f o u r t h o u gh t s on t h e t axat i o n o f w at e r i n Can a da. S a r a : Ha vin g b e e n r a ise d P r o t e st an t, I w a s in st ille d w it h a se n se t h a t livin g a m o ra l life h a d e ve r yt h in g t o d o w it h o n e s h e ar t (to u se t h e lin g o ). Je su s in sist e d t h a t m o t ive s p la y a p a r t. Th is m e a n s th at m y a n sw e r t o e ve r y qu e st io n is it d ep e n d s. Wh a t is t h e m o t i v e b e h in d t h e t a x? Is it simp ly t o fill a fiscal gap in the government s agenda? Or is it to implement more careful water usage for responsible management of a vital and diminishing re - so u r ce? I w o u ld a lso h a ve t o kn o w t h e effects o f t h e t a x. W o u l d i t a l l o w r i c h p e o p l e t o c o n t i n u e t o w a s t e w a t e r w h i l e p r o h i b i t i n g p o o r p e o p l e f r o m a f - fording even their basic bathing and drinking needs? Or would some measure (such as a minimum free amount of water for everyone) b e pu t in p la ce t o p u n i s h o n l y t h o s e w h o s e w a t e r u s e i s o u t r a g e o u s? A s a C h r i s t i a n, m y a n s w e r t o t o t a x o r n o t t o t a x o r a n y o t h e r m o r a l q u e s t i o n ha s t o st a r t w i t h t h e s e q u e s t i o n s, a n d e n d w i t h i t d e p e n d s. L a u r a : Sara, you so totally stole my answer. I m the agnostic here, people! I m the well, it depends person! I don t make decisions! The rest of you bett e r t a ke a fir m, r ig id st a n ce on t h is issu e so m y co n fu sio n ca n fu lly p e n e t r a t e t h e d iscu ssio n. N a t a l y a : C o m in g fr o m a bo r n J e w ish, b u t d o n 't a ffilia t e m yse lf w it h a n y r e lig io n p e r sp e ct ive, I m p r e p a r e d t o t a ke a r a t h er m a t e r ia listic vie w a t t h e i s s u e o f t a x i n g w a t e r. W e a r e t a l k i n g a b o u t C a n a d a, w h e r e w a t e r i s a b u n d a n t. I f y o u r e n o t p a y i n g f o r y o u r w a t e r i t d o e s n t m e a n it s fr e e. So m eb o d y h a s t o p a y. W h e t h e r y o u r e p a y i n g f o r w a t e r d i r e c t l y ( w a t e r t a x ) o r i n d i r e c t l y ( i n c o m e t a x e s, m u n i c i p a l t a x e s ), y o u r e s t i l l p a y in g fo r it. I t h in k w e sh o u ld b e a w a r e o f t h is. Th is w ill a vo id u se le ss co n su m p t io n, a n d w e m igh t b e a b le t o su p p ly o t h e r na t io n s t h a t r e a lly n e e d it w it h w a t e r. A n o t h er issu e is t h e fa ct t h a t m o st w a t e r w a st a g e is d o n e n o t b y in d ivid u a ls, b u t b y co r p o r a t io n s. M a kin g b u sin e sse s p a y fo r t h e ir w a t e r co n su m p t io n w ill n o t o n ly m a ke t h e m m o r e e fficie n t in t h e ir p r o d u ct io n, b u t w ill a lso save o u r va lu a b le r e sou r ce. So m y po sit io n is: im po se t h e w a t e r t a x! W e n e e d to b e a w a r e t ha t w at e r is n o t free and that we should not waste it. D a n y : A s C a n a d i a n s w e a r e a l r e a d y m o r e h e a v i l y t a xe d t h a n a n y o t h e r fir st w o r ld co u n t r y I ca n t h in k o f i n r e t u r n, w e a r e g u a r a n t e e d ce r t a in so cia l p r o g r am s a n d e sse n t ia l se r vice s, t h e m o st im p o r t a n t t h r e e o f w h ich a r e a cce ss t o e d u ca t io n, h e a l t h ca r e, a n d cle a n w a t e r. W e d o n t n e e d t o b e t a xe d o n w a t e r u s a g e b e c a u s e w e a r e a l r e a d y p a y i n g f o r t h e r i g h t t o h a v e w a t e r. I m a g i n e a f a m i l y t h a t c a n b a r e l y s u r v i v e a s i t i s ; w h e n t h i s n e w t a x i s i n t r o - d u ce d it b e com e s t h e st r a w t h a t b r e a ks t h e cam e l s b a ck. M e a n wh ile t h e r ich w h o u se wa t e r fo r sw im m ing p oo ls w ill b e ab le t o a ffo r d t h e t a x, a n d most likely not conserve water at all. Encouraging people to conserve water through a tax incentive program, where households can receive compen - s a t i o n f o r l i m i t i n g t h e i r w a t e r i n t a k e, w o u l d b e mo r e e ffe ct ive. A t t h e ve r y le a st, it w i l l b e m o r e e f f e c t i v e t h a n a t a x p o s i t i v e r e -e n for ce m e n t is a lw a ys m o r e e f f e c t i v e t h a n i t s n e g a t i v e c o u n t e r -p a r t. S h a h a na : I h a v e b e e n t h i n k i n g a b o u t w h e t h e r o r n o t I s h o u l d g i v e m y o p i n i o n o n t h i s i s s u e, b e c a u s e I a m n o t a C a n a d i a n c i t i z e n ; s o t h e s e a r e m y o b - s e r v a t i o n s a s a n o u t s i d e r. I t s b e e n m e n t i o n e d t h a t C a n a d i a n s a r e a l r e a d y b e i n g t a x e d for w a t e r, a n d t h a t th e g o ve rn m e n t n e e d s mo n e y t o en su r e t h e p r o p e r t r e a t m e n t o f w a t e r. I t h i n k t h a t t h i s t a x s h o u l d b e m a d e a m o r e s p e c i f i c t a x. T h i s w i l l r e m i n d p e o p l e t h a t w a t e r n e e d s t o b e co n se r ve d. I li ve d m y whole life in Pakistan, and one of the first things I noticed was that here people have their lights switched on all the time. In Pa kist a n, b e ca u se e le ct r icit y is so e xp e n sive, e ve r y t im e w e le a ve t h e r o o m w e sw it ch o ff t h e lig h t s; t h a t is o u r r e m in d e r th a t we sh o u ld sa ve e le ct r icit y. I d e fin it e l y t h in k b e in g a w a r e t h a t C a n ad ia n s a r e a ct u a lly p a yin g fo r th e ir w a t e r w ill m a ke p e o p le t h in k t w ice b e fo r e t h e y w a st e w a t e r. R o s : F r o m a p a g a n p e r s p e c t i v e, I m a g a i n s t t h e i d e a o f o w n e r s h i p o f w a t e r. I b e l i e v e t h a t w a t e r i s o n e o f t h e p r i m e e l e m e n t s o f l i f e, a n d, a s s u ch, s h o u l d n o t b e b o u g h t o r s o l d. F u r t h e r m o r e, I s e e w a t e r a s s o m e t h i n g t h a t i s s a c r e d f o r i t s o w n s a k e. I c a n t s e e a s p e c i f i c v a l u e b e i n g p l a c e d o n i t. W a - t e r w a s t e i s a n i s s u e t o b e r e s o l v e d b y a c o m m u n i t y, a n d l e a v i n g i t t o g o v e r n m e n t o r c o r p o r a t e e n t i t i e s i s i r r e s p o n s i b l e a n d r i s ky. Th e on ly in st a n ce in w h ich I co u ld co u n t e n a n ce t h e t a xa t io n o f w a t e r w o u ld b e fo r u se in co r po r a t e a ct ivit ie s. W a t e r is a r e so u r ce o f t h e p e op le, o f t h o se w h o live o n t h e land. It is meant to support life, and should be valued as such. Corporate activities don t fall under either heading, and water sources should be pro - t e c t e d f r o m s u c h a b u s e. I m n o t s u r e i f t a x a t i o n i s t h e w a y t o d o t h i s, b u t i t i s o n e p o s s i b i l i t y, a m o n g m a n y, t h a t s h o u l d b e c o n sid e r e d. L a u r a : A s a d e vo u t ag n o st ic, I t h in k t h e q u e st io n w e n e e d t o b e a skin g h e r e is, q u it e simp ly, why? On e sid e o f t h e a r g u me n t cla im s t h a t w a t e r is a fre e, n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e. B u t t h e o t h e r s i d e s a y s w a t e r s f r e e a n d n a t u r a l s t a t e i s b e i n g a b u s e d. I n s t e a d o f c h o o s i n g a s i d e, I t h i n k w e need to look at the issue a s a w h o l e. W h a t a r e w e d o i n g w r o n g a s a s o c i e t y, t h a t w e n e e d t o d e b a t e t h e p o t e n t i a l s c a r c i t y o f o n e o f o u r n a t i o n ' s m o s t a b un d a n t r e sou r ce s? A t w h a t p o in t d o e s a fr e e a n d n a tu r a l r e so ur ce b e co m e a p o w er fu l e co n o m ic t o o l? L e t 's fa ce it : w a t e r is a lr e a d y a b u sin e ss. W e n e e d t o un d e r st a n d h o w a n d w h y w a t e r g o t t h i s w a y b e f o r e w e c a n m a ke a n y fru it fu l d e cisio n s o n t h e m a t t e r. Photo courtesy Sarvodaya B o b : Im a g in e t h is: life w it h o u t w a t e r. BL A FF!!! You r e g o is an n ih ila t e d. Nir va n a! Eur e ka! R a p t u r e! Th e r e is n o life w it h o u t w a t e r! Th e r e is so m e t h in g su p e r sp e cia l a b o u t t h o se t w o h y d r o g e n a n d o n e o x y g e n m o l e c u l e s w h e n t h e y g e t s t u c k t o g e t h e r. G -d 's sp ir it m o v e d o v e r t h e f a c e o f t h e d e e p ( i. e. w a t e r s ). G -d sp lit t h e Se a o f R e e d s (w a t e r ) fo r t h e Isr a e lit e s t o w a lk t h r o u g h. J e su s w a lke d o n w a t e r. I'm a ll w it h t h e P a g a n a n d A g n o st ic vo ice s o n t h is o n e. W e n e ed t o t a ke a se r io u s loo k a t h o w a n a t io n ve r it a b ly in un d a t e d w it h b o t h fr e sh w a t e r a n d b u dg e t su r p lu se s ca n b e in a sit u a t io n o f t a xin g, p r iva t izin g, and commercializing water. The idea of taxing corporations for their extraordinary wa - t e r u se ma y b e a g o od id e a. On t h e o t h e r h a n d, it m a y b e fu t ile ; t h o se u se r s a r e r a r e ly deterred by monetary incentives. Taxing the individual seems to me one more usurpa - tion of the right to live simply and simply live without undue interference from govern - m e n t s. Fin a lly, w e ' ve g o t t o c le a n t h a t st u ff u p. W e h a ve p o iso n e d t h e so u r ce o f life it se lf. 6 l i f e i n h u m a n d i g n i t y. I t i s a p r e -re qu i s i t e t o t h e re al i z at i o n o f al l o t h er h u m an ri gh t s. - - United N ations Committe e on Economic, C u l t u ral an d So c i al Ri gh t s I n an age wh en man h as f o rgo t t en h i s o ri gi n s an d i s bl i n d e ven t o

him, He said All men will be sailors then, Until the sea shall free them. --Leonard Cohen As we live our life of ease, Everyone of us has all we need, Sky of blue and sea of green, In our yellow submarine. --The Beatles Photo courtesy Sarvodaya Josephus is the first book of Feuchtwanger s trilogy about the Jewish-Roman historian Josephus Flavius in the first century CE. The book was published in Germany in 1932 under the name The Judaic War. A year later it was published under the name Josephus in the United States. Unfortunately, all copies available in English are from that period, for the trilogy was never republished in North America. Although based around historical facts, the novel isn t the best source for accurate historical research either on Josephus or the Roman Empire at the time. Feuchtwanger was a Jew living in Germany in the 1930s, and his characters, both the Romans and the Jews, speak and feel of the author s own times. The second book of the trilogy goes on to feature another Roman Emperor, Domitian, whose harsh tyranny reminds one of Hitler. But the novel makes for an interesting read. The novel features Josephus as the main character. He is portrayed as a hero torn between his religious beliefs and his desire to be Roman, which at that time meant Citizen of the World. Josephus starts as a hero fighting for his people. He joins, and ends up commanding, a separatist group that wants Judea freed from the Roman Empire. However, when defeated by the Romans, his perseverance and desire for power win him the favor of the Emperor, Vespasian. Josephus becomes a rightful Roman citizen, hated both by his people and Romans alike. For Josephus, Rome is Great. Rome gives him the power he desires. After the revolt in Judea is crushed, Josephus moves to Alexandria. Rejected by the powerful Jewish community as a traitor, he does everything in his power to be accepted by his people. However, passion wins once again. Josephus marries an Egyptian and agrees to participate in the final military campaign to Judea, recording historical events as they happen. The last part of the novel describes the siege of Jerusalem. Once again, Josephus struggles to be in the enemy s camp. He sees his people suffer and, although they want his death, he wants to be with them. But he stays with the Romans. He watches as Jerusalem falls and the Temple is destroyed for the second time. He then returns to Rome and is forced to participate in the celebration of the fall of his people. Banned from the Roman synagogue, he secludes himself and starts writing the promised history of the fall of the second Temple. This is the end of the first book of Feuchtwanger s trilogy. I think that the novel raises an important point, relevant to our society today, about the conflict between nationalism and religion. In some countries more than others, nationalism is popularized almost as a religious cult. People have believed in the power of the Third Reich, the Soviet Union, and, more recently, the United Stated of America. Whether the regime is good or bad, the average citizen wants to be proud of his or her country. With the current concept of globalization, we are taught to think of ourselves as citizens of the world. But what if your religious belief or your religious institution (I want to make a clear distinction between the two) stands for different values? What if you morally have to choose? Do you then become a traitor against your country or your faith? Josephus ended up being considered a traitor by the Jews and an outsider by the Romans. But he was compelled to try to combine his desire to be a Roman with his desire to remain a Jew. We are all faced with the same choice. We want to be firm with our values and our beliefs. But although we all like absolutes, they are highly unachievable. At one point, we will either have to choose or give up on choosing. (Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord. Qur an 47:15 his most essential needs for survival, water along with other resources has become the victim of his indifference. --Rachel Carson Natalya Demberg Natalya is our Religion and Culture columnist. Feuchtwanger s Josephus is available in the McLennan library. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. --Norman MacLean 7

! " # $ % % " "! " & % ' ( ( # ) ' % #$ * # " " "! $ % + $, % " & -. / )0 1 20 R ad i x pu bl i s h e s a ds f o r gr o u ps an d e v e n t s w i t h a s p i r i t u a l t h e m e - - f o r F R E E! E m ai l u s t o su bm i t an ad o f u n de r 3 0 w o r ds : r a d i x @ y o u r s. c o m!" # $ % & ' ( ) $! & * +,-. / - $ 0 $! " # " $ % & ' ( & ) * +, -. / / / ( 01 2 " % %0% " " 0 * * + )!, * ( $ 1 2 $, "! 3! $ 4 5 6! " # $ % & '! ( ) * $ + *! " # $ # % & ' (! " #!! $ % & ' ( $! ) * + )!, -. " / & % ) ' * + % * *!, * &-.&''+/*'-.%- 0!!!!! " #$ % & ' ( $ (! ( ( &!! ( ) $ &! * +, -./*!0 ( 1!!! " # $ % & $ H i l l e l H o u s e T u e s d a y 1 2 : 4 0 p m : w o m e n s i s s u e s w i t h R a b b i J a c k m a n T h u r s d a y 1 : 3 0 p m : w e e k l y T o r a h p o r t i o n w i t h D o v W h i t m a n 3 4 6 0 S t a n l e y S t r e e t ( H i l l e l l i b r a r y ) Contac t Ra bbi J ackm an fo r cha t, qu estio ns, or lear ning Jewis h tex ts. 8 4 5-91 71 o r r a b b i @ h i l l e l. c a w w w. h i l l e l. c a! " # $ % &% ' '! " # $ % % & ' % & ( ( " $ )!"# #$% &! " # $ % # & $ % ' # $ % ( ' # $ % ) #$% * $+% # % # ' '! # $$, ( - S t u d e n t N i g h t s a t S t. J o h n s S tu d ent s, fa cult y and st a ff a re welcom e at m o nt hly st ud ent night s a nd o ther a ct iv it ies ~ Ca ll St. J ohn s Lu t hera n Chu rch: 8 4 4-6 2 9 7 O r em a i l s t u d e n t s @ s a i n t j o h n s l u t h e r a n m o n t r e a l. o r g! " " # $ %$$ " & ' ( &! " #!# $ % &! " $!' % ( & " ) ) $!) * $ + $!# $ % %,