By Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi

As I write this, we are in the middle of a heat wave. Less notable, but perhaps more serious, is that we are also in the middle of a drought.

We tend to take water for granted in Britain. We complain when it rains and are glad when the sun shines. Yet, although a blue sky is more cheering than a grey one, we cannot survive without rain. Even in this country, crops are suffering. During a recent walk in Derbyshire, it was notable how low the reservoir levels were. There are forecasts that in a few decades, there will be a shortage of drinking water in this country.

In many parts of the world, drought is already a reality, meaning that there are severe shortages of food and water to drink. The ancient Israelites were well aware of the need for water. Throughout their wanderings in the desert, there were times they complained bitterly that there was no water to drink. There is one such episode in this week’s sidra. The rabbis noticed that it occurred immediately after Miriam’s death. They considered that nothing was coincidental in the Torah, and so the legend of Miriam’s well developed. According to the legend, because of Miriam’s merit, throughout their wandering in the desert, a well accompanied the people to provide them with water. However, when Miriam died, the well dried up. And so we read ‘And Miriam died and was buried there; and there was no water for the congregation’ (Num. 20:1-2).

Water is a blessing. The Hebrew word for a pool of water, b’reichah, is closely related to the word for blessing, ‘b’rachah’. Judaism teaches us to be aware of all the blessings in our life and to give thanks for them. We should never take our blessings for granted.

In a country that is often rainy and grey, it is easy to complain when there is too much rain. But we should never take the blessing of rain for granted. This summer weather is a reminder of how precious it is. It also reminds us to think of those for whom lack of water is a continual reality. Let us give thanks for our blessings and work for a world where all may share them.

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