Fire, more spiritual than physical, provides light and warmth and is compared to the soul (Ki ner Hashem nishmas adam). Jews use fire to bring in Shabbos and Yom Tov, for Havdallah when we part with Shabbos, and to light our Chanukah menorahs…
But did you know fire is also used for…
HUNTING
Smoking bees from their hive.
Smoking bees from their hive.
COOKING
Roasting food on coals or a grill.
Roasting food on coals or a grill.
TOOLS
Sharpening and fire-hardening digging sticks and spears.
Sharpening and fire-hardening digging sticks and spears.
MEDICINE
Cauterizing wounds
to stop bleeding.
Cauterizing wounds
to stop bleeding.
LANSCAPE MODIFICATION
Clearing brush for ease of travel.
Clearing brush for ease of travel.
WOODWORKING
Recurve and reflex bows for wood bending.
Recurve and reflex bows for wood bending.
FOOD PRESEVATION
Smoking meat to preserve it for long periods of time.
Smoking meat to preserve it for long periods of time.
COMMUNICATION
Sending signals via smoke or campfire to other communities. (Rosh Chodesh)
Sending signals via smoke or campfire to other communities. (Rosh Chodesh)
MODERN COMMUNICATION
Today, we use cell phones as a main means of communication. Did you know that the average person uses only 33% of their cell phone minutes and pays an average of $3.02 per minute?! 41% of cell phone users pay 50 cents per minute, less than 10% pay 10 cents per minute, and 11% pay $10 per minute! I guess talk isn’t so cheap after all!