Water is Love Part 2

Last week, we talked about the chemical composition of water and the symbolic meaning in Christian lore. This week, I want to include some Judaic history into the meaning of water.

One of the concepts from last week included the bond that a water molecule forms with other water molecules including the tetrahedron.

If the word tetrahedron is broken down into its root words the first part is tetra (in Greek) which means four, while the second part, -hedron means faces. A tetrahedron is therefore a solid figure with four equilateral triangles as the “faces”. (See the following link for more information including the etymology of the word, tetrahedron: http://www.allwords.com/word-tetrahedron.html. To see an example of a tetrahedron, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahedron.)

Tetra also has significant meaning in Judaic tradition with respect to the Biblical Jewish Tetragrammaton (which means four letters). The Tetragrammaton represents the ineffable (or unpronounceable) four letter name of God. Judaic tradition holds that the four letter name of God is never pronounced—neither in private or public worship nor in the public or private reading of the Torah. Jewish reasoning is simple yet profound. It is simply showing constant reverence for the name of their Creator.

The four Hebrew letters that represent the Tetragrammaton are named Yud, Hei, Vav, Hei. They are represented in English characters as Y-H-V-H. This is rendered in Christian tradition as YaHWeH (W replaces the Hebrew V). The individual Hebrew letters are Y (which stands for ‘Yud’), H (which stands for ‘Hei’), V (which stands for “Vav’), and another H for another ‘Hei’. (For more information on the Hebrew alphabet, visit: http://www.torahtots.com/alefbet/nekudot/allabouthebrew.htm).

Rich in meaning, YHVH envelops the following essence of God as “He was, He is and He will be”. In Hebrew, “He was” is equivalent to HaYaH, “He is” is equivalent to HoVeH, and “He will be” is equivalent to YiHYeH. In each instance of these three Hebrew words, one of the original letters of the Tetragrammaton is missing. However, once all three words are presented together, God’s full essence (key to the four letters) is one, it is complete.

In Christian tradition, this remains true for the concept of the Trinity. “God is one. God is three. God is called the Trinity.” And in saying that, we have come full circle—from the Christian meaning of water, to the tetrahedrical water bond, to the essence of God as one in the Tetragrammaton, to the Christian belief that God is one in three.

A book called The Wisdom of the Hebrew Alphabet (by Rabbi Michael L. Munk; Mesorah Publications, 1983/2007) contains a plethora of information on the Hebrew alphabet. One bit of wisdom includes the meaning of ‘Hei’ in YHVH. The book explains that the ‘Hei’ “symbolizes God’s readiness to forgive penitents. God created the opportunity for a sinner to return to Him through teshuvah, or “repentance.”

Is this not the same meaning that water takes on in Christianity, through the use of water in the Sacrament of Baptism?

All these symbols and meanings show that there is much more to water than meets the eye.

Next week, we’ll finish up our thoughts on water with rich symbolism in life, Christianity and Judaism. See you then!

Water is Love

Water is all around us. We see it and use it every day. Water is essential for all life to exist, as it makes up more than 70% of most living things. Our bodies need water. While a human can survive more than a week without food, a person will die within a few days without water. (Source: http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/Smi-Z/Water.html)

Water molecules have certain properties including: (1) their molecular structure; (2) their bonding habits with other elements; and (3) their bonding habits with other water molecules. Looking at these properties give us insight into the essence of our Creator.

Most of us have somewhere seen a picture of an H2O molecule. There are two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom per molecule. The total number of atoms is three, the same number of persons in the Christian Trinity. In other words, there are three atoms in one water molecule, much like there are three persons in one God. But what is really important about this property is that this bond shows three independent atoms coming together as one. It becomes a symbol in science that reflects faith.

The bond that a water molecule forms with other water molecules is what is called a cohesive bond. One water molecule “can bind to two external hydrogen atoms, whereas each hydrogen atom can bind to one adjacent oxygen atom…each water molecule tends to have four nearest neighbors, one in each of the four directions of a tetrahedron.” (Source: Molecular Biology of the Gene, James D. Watson, W.A.Benjamin, Inc., 1976, pg 96.)

A tetrahedron has special meaning in Judaic tradition, something I will talk about in my next posting. But for now, it is important to recognize that water bonds with water in all surrounding directions.

The third property of water is its bonding habits with other elements. It will bind with most other elements, but if that element does not want to bond, it will let it go. This is also another symbol in science that reflects faith. Why? In Christianity we are taught about God’s love and His gift of free will. If we are elements that wish to bond with God, then we are bound. But if we do not wish to cling to God, He will let us go, just as the water molecule will release those elements that don’t want to bond with it.

Our Creator has given us a rich symbol with regard to water.

How do we know this applies to us? Our bodies need water—we need God. Water washes away pain; it cleanses and heals, just as our Creator does if we allow Him in. But if that isn’t enough to convince you, there is a Biblical bridge given to us through the Gospel.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matt 28:19

Baptism is the first sacrament. Is Jesus reminding us that we need God’s love first?

The conclusion is clear. Water and the properties of water are not random, meaningless aspects of nature. Either is the symbol of water in Christianity. Three in one, bonding and dilution is the key to our existence both physically and metaphysically. Water sustains us on all fronts.

Come back next week to learn about Judaic tradition and the Tetragrammaton. Also hear about scientists who claim water has emotion. There is definitely more to come!

The Earth Is Not Where It Should Be

If you ever wonder how your life fits into the big picture of the universe then this blog is for you.

Contemplating questions like these is what life is all about. Incorporating nature and science with our everyday faith is the goal of this blog. Whether you agree, or disagree, I invite you to walk this path through science and faith as we explore possibilities…

Physicist Gerald Schroeder proposed, “Earth should not be where it is.” (Source: The Science of God, Broadway Books, 1998) Why does he say this? Dr. Schroeder looks at the distances between the planets with respect to the Sun and sees a relationship. That relationship is distance. He elaborates by naming the planets and giving their respective distances from the Sun.

Mercury 58 million kilometers
Venus 110 million kilometers
Earth 150 million kilometers
Mars 230 million kilometers
Asteroids 440 million kilometers
Jupiter 780 million kilometers
Saturn 1430 million kilometers
Uranus 2880 million kilometers

Source: (pg 185, The Science of God)

If we look at the distances between the planets, they are all equally exponentially distributed – except for one. Each planet is roughly doubled in distance with the exception of Earth. Why do we care?

This is significant to us because Earth is the only planet with the capacity to maintain life—our life. Without the particular distance of 150 million kilometers from the Sun, we wouldn’t be here. It begs the question, “Was this an accident or the touch of a divine Creator?”

Take a trip with me. Join me on a journey through science and faith as we explore the possibilities and embolden the untamable. There are many others facets of life to venture through including DNA, the theory of everything, multiple dimensions and much more. Explore science from a different perspective and start a conversation about what it means to live, to love and to relate to the Creator of the universe.

If the Earth is not where is should be, are we where we should be? Take a deep breath. Make the plunge. You won’t regret it.

This blog is currently under construction. Please visit again soon.