San Benedetto Mineral Water
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Question
Question: We have a kosher Jew in our synagogue who immigrated from South America. He disagrees with us drinking "San Pellegrino" mineral water (Italian for the holy pilgrim) and "San Benedetto" (Saint Benedict), as these are clear symbols of the Christian religion. Churches are named after him, there is a religious holiday with mass processions, candles are lit for him, and requests are made to him. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world travel to the church in the Italian town named after him to immerse in the "holy" spring named after him. Therefore, the water is "impure." Also, the bottle is shaped like his statuettes. Furthermore, the company publicly declares a close economic relationship with the Catholic Church in the Vatican and the mission. Is it really forbidden to drink this water?
Answer
Hello
According to the instructions of the Gaon, Rabbi Fried, shlita, one should not purchase bottles with such a label.