Sarx

LTHOUGH THERE ARE Too many cliches in the lede for this story, it seems that a man in rural Maryland thinks. Christian people should use, you know, Christian salt:

You’ve heard of kosher salt? Now there’s a Christian variety. Retired barber Joe Godlewski says he was inspired by television chefs who repeatedly recommended kosher salt in recipes. “I said, ‘What the heck’s the matter with Christian salt?’” Godlewski said, sipping a beer in the living room of his home in unincorporated Cresaptown, a western Maryland mountain community.

Ah, a retired barber. With a Polish name. In the Rural south. In the mountains. Is saying something stupid and vaguely Anti-Semitic.

OK. I can handle all that.

And, at least the paper reminds folks that kosher foods are not “blessed by a Rabbi” but rather only examined. And Kosher Salt isn’t “kosher” (like a kosher steak would be) because all salt is, technically, kosher. I’m reminded of the Pious Orthodox on the Lenten Food mailing list who refused to trust the designation “Pareve” as indicative of meat- and dairy-free food, because you can’t eat food that is dedicated to idols (!!!!!)

I’m amused that an Episcopal Priest is involved in the “blessing” of the salt. I’m guessing they’re using the “exorcism and blessing of salt”. We used to have this prayer on the wall in the sacristy at Smokey Mary’s

God’s creature, salt of the Earth, I cast out from you any echo of evil by the living God, by the one true God, by the holy God, through whom all things have their being. May you be a purified, living, heavenly salt, a means of health for those who believe, a medicine for body and soul for all who make use of you. May all evil fancies be driven far from the place where you are sprinkled. And let every unclean spirit be repulsed by the power of almighty God.

Almighty, everlasting God, I humbly appeal to your mercy and goodness to bless this creature, salt, that you have given for mankind’s use. May all who use it find in it a remedy for body and mind. And may everything that it touches be feed from uncleanness and any influence of evil through your holy name, Amen.

It’s worth noting that the Priest is probably giggling whilst collecting his fees. I hope.