Or "don't waste water"?
Posted by Eliz. on January 16, 2000 at 17:21:41:
In Reply to: maybe you're supposed to be an especially good citizen? posted by Catherine Cartwright Jones on January 15, 2000 at 16:45:31:
: I haven't the slightest idea...that's one of the reasons I like to
: just quote the stuff ... interpretation can be tricky.
Oh, but that's the fun part!
: My thought was that it children cry in and of their own accord,
Agreed - can't stop this. "The beatings will continue until you stop
crying" just isn't very effective, so the specification of not *doing*
something to *start* them crying makes sense, but doesn't forbid some
level of discipline. (Gosh, papa's away on pilgrimage and you still
won't let me get away with anything!)
: Maybe this was a call for mercy,
: compassion, fortitude and not inconveniencing the neighborhood with
: your slop pots?
But it doesn't say not to throw *anything* out of the house -
presumably you can still beat your carpets if you have any, or empty
the trash if that's a practice in that particular area. It sounds
more like water - don't waste it from the house or body (tears).
Sympathy for the pilgrim? (Is water a big issue for a pilgrimage?)
In any case, I'm at least convinced that this probably isn't "don't do
the normal ritual practices for that day".