1892 Drinks of the world

DRINKS.

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the midst thereof these present days, that we may bless Thee in purity and hoHness. For Thou art good, and the Giver of good to all. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, for the land and for the fruit of the vine." This beautiful prayer,^ of which only the roughest sketch has been given here, has been said by pious Hebrews at every meal in which wine has been drunk from time immemorial. But upon wine alone has this honour been conferred. Those who drink Shecar, or water, or any other beverage except wine, say before their draught thus . much only : " Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, universal King, by whose word all things were made ; " and after it, '' Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, universal King, the Creator of many souls, and their needs, for all which Thou hast created, to keep alive the soul of every living thing. Blessed art Thou who livest everlastingly." But these two prayers have no especial and neces- sary relation to drinks. They are also used where aught is eaten which has not grown originally and directly out of the earth, as, for example, the flesh of some beasts, and birds,. and fishes, and cheese, milk, butter, and honey. In the present work particular attention has been given, in the.^ase of alcoholic drinks, to wines, spirits, liqueurs, and beers, and in the case of non-alcoholic, to mineral waters, tea, coffee, and other beverages ^ The form of this thanksgiving is very nearly akin to that said on the occasion of eating any of the five kinds of cooked food from which the challah is due. eftsoons, even In