On May 14, 9:26*pm, Sky > wrote:
> On 5/14/2012 6:21 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On 5/14/2012 5:54 PM, Mark Thorson wrote:
> >> A real puzzler. The seller lists some guesses,
> >> but none seem likely to me.
>
> >>http://www.ebay.com/itm/160799433505
>
> >> Whatever goes in the cup can't be too tall,
> >> or it will hit the handle. It can't be
> >> on fire, or it will get soot on the handle
> >> and heat it up. The fact that the cup swivels
> >> suggests it holds a liquid or maybe a powder,
> >> the swivel action to keep it from spilling.
> >> Maybe it does spill sometimes, hence the dish.
>
> > That is a cup to hold water for hand washing. Orthodox Jews must wash
> > their hands in a proscribed manner and say a blessing before meals. The
> > cup tilts and dispenses enough water to satisfy the Halachic amount.
> > I've seen them before.
>
> Ah, that makes sense! *I can see how it was 'designed'. *Thanks for the
> explanation. *It is rather ornate and simplistic at the same time,
> perhaps properly so to designate the significance of its use.
>


I like the Muslim handwashing sets better -- check out this one from
Morocco:

http://yhst-64477706453472.stores.ya...tahawaset.html