In a 3-cup glass container with a tight-fitting lid, combine the vanilla beans with the brandy. Cap and allow to sit at room temperature 3 weeks. Remove the beans and strain liquid through a double layer of cheesecloth into a bowl, if necessary. In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar over medium heat.Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool. Stir into vanilla mixture. Pour mixture into a bottle; cap and allow to sit at room temperature 1 month. Yield: 2 cups of extract. Use as you would store bought vanilla. Posted to JEWISH-FOOD digest by "Marianne Meisels" on Dec 13, 1998,