from Mussaf, Shmini Atzeret
ממוסף, שמיני עצרת
זְכוֹר הַנּוֹלָד בִּבְשׂוֹרַת יֻקַּח נָא מְעַט מַיִם. וְשַׂחְתָּ לְהוֹרוֹ לְשָׁחֲטוֹ לִשְׁפּוֹךְ דָּמוֹ כַּמַּיִם. זִהֵר גַּם הוּא לִשְׁפּוֹךְ לֵב כַּמַּיִם. חָפַר וּמָצָא בְּאֵרוֹת מָיִם:בְּצִדְקוֹ חוֹן חַשְׁרַת מָיִם:
Remember Isaac, his birth foretold while angels drank cool water. At Moriah his blood was almost spilled like water; In the desert, he dug deep to find springs of water. For Isaac’s sake, grant the gift of water. [Art Scroll translation]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

1. What is the role of water in the lives of those mentioned in this text?

2. What is the role of water in human survival?

Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)