Water: Ritual Blessings
Wednesday, February 1, 7 pm
Throughout the ages, most of the great religions of the world have used water as a purifying element. The Mikveh is the ritual purifying site for Orthodox Jewish women after the menstrual period. Water is also used as part of the Jewish conversion ceremony. Christians have made baptism into one of the central sacramental rites of the Church. Muslims perform their ablutions before entering into prayer. What are the origins of water purifying rituals?
Answering these questions and yours will be:
Rev. Patrick Ryan, S.J.
Lawrence J. McGintley Professor of Religion and Society, Fordham University, NY
Dr. Hussein Rashid
Islam Professor, Hofstra University, NY
Dr. Claudia Setzer
Professor of Religion, Manhattan College, NY