Lichbod haRabbonim,
haRab Ganzfried in his kitzur, siman 109 (dinei hamaim) says that water drawn leshem mitzvas matza should not be poured (i.e., discarded) on account of the tekufah (the equinox). Ramah Y.D. 116, if I understood correctly, paskens not to drink water drawn on the equinox because it's dangerous in some way.
What are the sources and the specific reasons for this? In what ways does the equinox may affect the water or the ones drinking it?
Pesach casher vesameach!
1) Refraining from drinking water drawn on the equinox is not mentioned in the Talmud. However, the Darkei Moshe (written by the Rema as a commentary on the Tur, and is the longer version of his glosses on the Shulchan Aruch) in Yoreh Deah 116:5 relates that Rav Hai Ga'on (939-1038) was asked why the custom of Jews in the western countries was to be careful not to drink water at the time of the equinox. Rav Hai Ga'on replied that he did not agree with this custom. However, the Darkei Moshe cites other Ge'onim who did justify the custom.
2) The Orchos Chayim (by Rav Nachman Cahana of Spinka), Orach Chayim 455:7, cites the Zohar in Parshas Vayakhel, Parshas Vayikra, and Parshas Kedoshim, which tells us that at the four equinoxes an announcement is made in Heaven that one must do Teshuvah. This is why the ancient scholars introduced the custom to pour away the water, in order to remind us to do Teshuvah.
3) The Orchos Chayim cites Shmuel I 7:6 where we learn that Klal Yisrael drew water and poured it in front of Hash-m. The Targum explains that this means that they "poured out their hearts like water in Teshuvah before Hash-m." According to this, the custom of pouring away the water is symbolic of the repentance that we must do.
Kol Tuv,
Dovid Bloom
It occured to me that there is a more well-known verse than the one I cited above (in 3) that gives a similar symbolism concerning the pouring out of the water. We read in the Book of Eichah (2:19), "Pour out your heart like water, towards the Face of Hash-m."
The Targum to Eichah also renders it, "Straighten out like water the crookednss of your heart."
Again, we see the symbolism of pouring out water to mean pouring out one's heart in returning to G-d. This can also be a source for pouring out water at a moment of time which is appropriate for Teshuvah.
Wishing you the very best,
Dovid Bloom
Tizke lamitzvot, I've been wanting to know this for years.
Regarding the custom not to drink water during the equinox, according to your words Ramah seem to say not drinking at all, whereas I had understood not drinking water drawn in the equinox. Which is the case? Also, the matter about not drinking seems to be related to some danger, since it is cited by Ramah in a siman about things to be avoided because they are dangerous. Any clue as to why this (or any?) water should not be drunk?
Best wishes,
Martin
1) The Rema writes that the "widespread custom is not to drink water at the time of the equinox," which appears to mean that it should not be drunk then at all.
2) The Rema -- in Darkei Moshe on the Tur, YD 116:4 -- cites Ge'onim who said that the ancient teachers talked about the danger of drinking this water in order to frighten people so that Resha'im should not continue with their bad ways but instead do Teshuvah, and then Hash-m will save them from the four equinoxes of the year.
It seems that everyone had an awareness that the equinox was an important time for doing Teshuvah, and the water custom was a way of strengthening this feeling.
Wishing you much Hatzlachah,
Dovid Bloom
4 equinoxes? I thought there were 2 - the vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox.
Sam Kosofsky
You are correct; there are only two equinoxes, but there is also Tekufas Teves and Tekufas Tamuz -- the winter solstice and the summer solstice.
Kol Tuv,
Dovid Bloom