Just a quick addition to the Bereishit menu--something for the vegetarian in our family:
tofu va'vohu and seitan (kri/read: satan). The tofu dish will contain a kitchen-sink-full of ingredients, a veritable mish mash of flavors. The seitan might be interesting if I cook it with some apple, fig, and a little etrog zest to recognize the various traditions about the fruit from the etz hada'at that the snake/Satan tempted Chava to eat.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
I'm Back!!!
Parashat Bereishit Revisited
One of the wonderful things about the month of Tishrei is that it affords us new beginnings. With the celebration of Simchat Torah, we renew our dedication to Torah and the cycle of weekly parshiyot begins again. So, with that in mind, I am going to renew my commitment to creating ParashahMom menus, divrei Torah, and decorative Shabbat ideas.
As I was learning parashat Bereishit yesterday with a good friend, I was struck by the image of Hashem separating in order to create. I imagine that the tohu vavohu described in the opening of the Torah is not a void and nothingness, necessarily. Rather, I see it more as a giant scribble, a huge knot of elements that cannot work because they are so jumbled and confused. To create, then, Hashem separates the elements and pulls out distinct, productive, and unique components from the mass tohu vavohu and renders them purposeful. Hahsem uses the same M.O. throughout the rest of the Torah: G-d separates Noach from his corrupt generation, Avraham from his peers, Yitzchak as a sacred gift, Yaakov as a courageous and victorious wrestler and father, Yosef as a gifted interpreter and leader, etc. Not only are individuals separated from the rest to serve G-d's purpose, but the entire nation is separated from other peoples at Har Sinai with the acceptance of the Torah. Every halachah in the Torah can be seen as a means of providing the Jewish People with a distinct and G-dly mission. By creating our own separations, we create a holiness in ourselves and join G-d in creative partnership in the work of making the world a meaningful, productive, good place.
So--how to make that idea accessible for kids? Hmmmm?
For starters, I to have a large bowl in the middle of the table with a jumble of objects in it. The objects will represent the various days of Creation. Over the course of the meal, we'll ask the kids to extricate the objects that apply for each given day. (Note to self: make sure this isn't a borer issue.) That way they can review the days of creation and see how organizing the elements ion the bowl make the world neat, orderly, and comprehensible.
As an alternative (if borer is a problem)????? I'll have to work on that. Check back later in the week for an alternate plan!
As for a menu: I'll have to stick with last year's. It's too good not to replicate.
Shabbat Shalom!
One of the wonderful things about the month of Tishrei is that it affords us new beginnings. With the celebration of Simchat Torah, we renew our dedication to Torah and the cycle of weekly parshiyot begins again. So, with that in mind, I am going to renew my commitment to creating ParashahMom menus, divrei Torah, and decorative Shabbat ideas.
As I was learning parashat Bereishit yesterday with a good friend, I was struck by the image of Hashem separating in order to create. I imagine that the tohu vavohu described in the opening of the Torah is not a void and nothingness, necessarily. Rather, I see it more as a giant scribble, a huge knot of elements that cannot work because they are so jumbled and confused. To create, then, Hashem separates the elements and pulls out distinct, productive, and unique components from the mass tohu vavohu and renders them purposeful. Hahsem uses the same M.O. throughout the rest of the Torah: G-d separates Noach from his corrupt generation, Avraham from his peers, Yitzchak as a sacred gift, Yaakov as a courageous and victorious wrestler and father, Yosef as a gifted interpreter and leader, etc. Not only are individuals separated from the rest to serve G-d's purpose, but the entire nation is separated from other peoples at Har Sinai with the acceptance of the Torah. Every halachah in the Torah can be seen as a means of providing the Jewish People with a distinct and G-dly mission. By creating our own separations, we create a holiness in ourselves and join G-d in creative partnership in the work of making the world a meaningful, productive, good place.
So--how to make that idea accessible for kids? Hmmmm?
For starters, I to have a large bowl in the middle of the table with a jumble of objects in it. The objects will represent the various days of Creation. Over the course of the meal, we'll ask the kids to extricate the objects that apply for each given day. (Note to self: make sure this isn't a borer issue.) That way they can review the days of creation and see how organizing the elements ion the bowl make the world neat, orderly, and comprehensible.
As an alternative (if borer is a problem)????? I'll have to work on that. Check back later in the week for an alternate plan!
As for a menu: I'll have to stick with last year's. It's too good not to replicate.
Shabbat Shalom!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Parashat Behar-Bechukotai
Growing Holier
This shabbat I am at home with our two younger kids while my husband and oldest are on a school shabbaton; therefore, the motivation to come up with a bang-up parashah idea is somewhat weak. I'm hoping the kids might fall asleep shortly after kiddush. Nonetheless, I did deliver a parashah present to a good friend and thought it might spark some creative ideas (more on that later).
For starters, I offer a few topics to discuss at the shabbat table. Parashat Behar deals with the laws of shmitah, the sabbatical year. After working the land for six years, the seventh year, the land (of Israel) lies fallow. What an amazing opportunity to discuss hakarat hatov (appreciation) for the gifts God grants us. During that shmitah year, we are to rely upon the natural bounty of the land without cultivation; we also must subjugate our sense of ownership and recognize that the land itself is a gift from God. Any food--processed or natural--can lead to a discussion about appreciation. A backtracking discussion can easily do the trick: Where did we get the challah from? How did the bakery prepare it? Where did the baker get the ingredients? How did the store/market/supplier get the flour? What did the mill do to produce the flour? Where did the mill get the wheat? How did the farmer grow the wheat? etc., etc. until the discussion leads to God. We could also talk about how the shmitah cycle mirrors the weekly cycle of six days of work and the seventh day as rest. One other possible topic of discussion: kedushat hamakom. How does shmitah demonstrate the holiness of the land of Israel? What is sacred space? How do we create sacred space outside the land of Israel?
As for Bechukotai, the conversation is a bit darker. This parashah includes the tochechah, God's warnings if Bnei Yisrael fails to follow the laws set out for them. For younger kids, reward and punishment is a natural topic. Why are there rules? Why are there consequences for breaking the rules? What does it show about Hashem's relationship with Bnei Yisrael that there are so many rules to follow? How might Hashem's spelling out the consequences be a sign of the love that Hashem has for Bnei Yisrael? For a more sophisticated talk you might want to think about why at this juncture--at the end of sefer Vayikra--is the tochechah written in the plural whereas at the end of Devarim (in Parahsat Ki Tavo) it is written in the singular (question compliments of my husband). Aslo, how does the tochechah help us with the mandate to be holy (stated in parashat Kedoshim). How are rebuke and holiness related?
Now, the gift I brought my friends: several packages of seeds to grow vegetables and a cactus plant. The seeds are for Behar and the cactus is for Bechukotai. Hopefully, they will plant the seeds and discover the dedication, talent, and help from Above that it takes to grow food. The cactus represents that things get a little thorny for those who defy the dictates of the Torah.
If we were eating at home, I'd have created a centerpiece with seed packets and a cactus as well.
This shabbat I am at home with our two younger kids while my husband and oldest are on a school shabbaton; therefore, the motivation to come up with a bang-up parashah idea is somewhat weak. I'm hoping the kids might fall asleep shortly after kiddush. Nonetheless, I did deliver a parashah present to a good friend and thought it might spark some creative ideas (more on that later).
For starters, I offer a few topics to discuss at the shabbat table. Parashat Behar deals with the laws of shmitah, the sabbatical year. After working the land for six years, the seventh year, the land (of Israel) lies fallow. What an amazing opportunity to discuss hakarat hatov (appreciation) for the gifts God grants us. During that shmitah year, we are to rely upon the natural bounty of the land without cultivation; we also must subjugate our sense of ownership and recognize that the land itself is a gift from God. Any food--processed or natural--can lead to a discussion about appreciation. A backtracking discussion can easily do the trick: Where did we get the challah from? How did the bakery prepare it? Where did the baker get the ingredients? How did the store/market/supplier get the flour? What did the mill do to produce the flour? Where did the mill get the wheat? How did the farmer grow the wheat? etc., etc. until the discussion leads to God. We could also talk about how the shmitah cycle mirrors the weekly cycle of six days of work and the seventh day as rest. One other possible topic of discussion: kedushat hamakom. How does shmitah demonstrate the holiness of the land of Israel? What is sacred space? How do we create sacred space outside the land of Israel?
As for Bechukotai, the conversation is a bit darker. This parashah includes the tochechah, God's warnings if Bnei Yisrael fails to follow the laws set out for them. For younger kids, reward and punishment is a natural topic. Why are there rules? Why are there consequences for breaking the rules? What does it show about Hashem's relationship with Bnei Yisrael that there are so many rules to follow? How might Hashem's spelling out the consequences be a sign of the love that Hashem has for Bnei Yisrael? For a more sophisticated talk you might want to think about why at this juncture--at the end of sefer Vayikra--is the tochechah written in the plural whereas at the end of Devarim (in Parahsat Ki Tavo) it is written in the singular (question compliments of my husband). Aslo, how does the tochechah help us with the mandate to be holy (stated in parashat Kedoshim). How are rebuke and holiness related?
Now, the gift I brought my friends: several packages of seeds to grow vegetables and a cactus plant. The seeds are for Behar and the cactus is for Bechukotai. Hopefully, they will plant the seeds and discover the dedication, talent, and help from Above that it takes to grow food. The cactus represents that things get a little thorny for those who defy the dictates of the Torah.
If we were eating at home, I'd have created a centerpiece with seed packets and a cactus as well.
חזק חזק ונתחזק
Hope you have a Shabbat Shalom!
© Tammie Rapps 2009
Hope you have a Shabbat Shalom!
© Tammie Rapps 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Parashat Emor
Calendar Craze
I hope that you welcome the blog back into your inboxes after the hiatus of several weeks.
This week's parashah begins with a discussion of the sactity of the kohanim and the various blemishes that disqualify them from service in the mikdash or mishkan. That section of the parahsah will not be the focus of our shabbat meal.
Instead, our nod to Emor will highlight the fourth, fifth, and six aliyot of the parashah. This center section establishes the holidays as integral parts of Judaism. So, our dinner Friday night will include foods traditional for the various holidays mentioned in the Torah reading: shabbat, Pesach, the omer, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah (I think our menu will have to skip Yom Kippur), and Sukkot. I'm still working on the specifics of the menu, but it will definitely feature romaine, matzah, and horseradish (Pesach), barley (the omer), some type of cream soup (pareve--for Shavuot), apples and/or honey (Rosh Hashanah), and hearts of palm (to represent a lulav).
I've also created a simple matching/ memory game that we can play--matching the dates given in the Torah and the name of the holiday.
We will also try to introduce the concept of kedushat hazman, sanctity of time/sanctifying time, through our discussion at the table. The holidays allow us to envelop ourselves in holiness and elevate ourselves spiritually during that sacred time.
That's it for this week. Have a shabbat shalom!
I hope that you welcome the blog back into your inboxes after the hiatus of several weeks.
This week's parashah begins with a discussion of the sactity of the kohanim and the various blemishes that disqualify them from service in the mikdash or mishkan. That section of the parahsah will not be the focus of our shabbat meal.
Instead, our nod to Emor will highlight the fourth, fifth, and six aliyot of the parashah. This center section establishes the holidays as integral parts of Judaism. So, our dinner Friday night will include foods traditional for the various holidays mentioned in the Torah reading: shabbat, Pesach, the omer, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah (I think our menu will have to skip Yom Kippur), and Sukkot. I'm still working on the specifics of the menu, but it will definitely feature romaine, matzah, and horseradish (Pesach), barley (the omer), some type of cream soup (pareve--for Shavuot), apples and/or honey (Rosh Hashanah), and hearts of palm (to represent a lulav).
I've also created a simple matching/ memory game that we can play--matching the dates given in the Torah and the name of the holiday.
We will also try to introduce the concept of kedushat hazman, sanctity of time/sanctifying time, through our discussion at the table. The holidays allow us to envelop ourselves in holiness and elevate ourselves spiritually during that sacred time.
That's it for this week. Have a shabbat shalom!
© Tammie Rapps 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Parashat Vayikra
Xie Xie, Cam On, Merci, Gracias, Todah, and Thanks
After reading this week's parahsah, I was concerned about what and how I would present at our table. Other than creating a meat fest with various sources of animal protein, I was stumped. Thankfully, our nephew who is serving in the IDF sent one of his updates including a d'var torah that gave me inspiration. He wrote about the sacrifice offered as a act of thanksgiving to God for a personal miracle. According to the midrash, this is the only sacrifice that will be reinstated in the future, because we will never lose the need to recognize the good God does for us or to gratefully acknowledge God's benevolence. In addition, the Netziv explains that a festive meal should accompany the korban todah, thanksgiving sacrifice, to celebrate God's goodness and to share the reminiscences of God's salvation with others.
Hakarat hatov, expressing appreciation for the gifts in our lives, is a value we cherish in our family. Tonight we will be borrowing from our U.S. vernacular and celebrating a Thanksgiving feast (turkey, cranberry, yams, etc.). However, we will be talking about the things for which we would like to thank God--the ways we recognize God's hashgachah in our lives. And for decorations: thanks you signs in all different languages!
Have a Shabbat Shalom!
© Tammie Rapps 2009
After reading this week's parahsah, I was concerned about what and how I would present at our table. Other than creating a meat fest with various sources of animal protein, I was stumped. Thankfully, our nephew who is serving in the IDF sent one of his updates including a d'var torah that gave me inspiration. He wrote about the sacrifice offered as a act of thanksgiving to God for a personal miracle. According to the midrash, this is the only sacrifice that will be reinstated in the future, because we will never lose the need to recognize the good God does for us or to gratefully acknowledge God's benevolence. In addition, the Netziv explains that a festive meal should accompany the korban todah, thanksgiving sacrifice, to celebrate God's goodness and to share the reminiscences of God's salvation with others.
Hakarat hatov, expressing appreciation for the gifts in our lives, is a value we cherish in our family. Tonight we will be borrowing from our U.S. vernacular and celebrating a Thanksgiving feast (turkey, cranberry, yams, etc.). However, we will be talking about the things for which we would like to thank God--the ways we recognize God's hashgachah in our lives. And for decorations: thanks you signs in all different languages!
Have a Shabbat Shalom!
© Tammie Rapps 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Parashat Ki Tisa
So I promised no golden calves this week, but I didn't promise no gold. In fact, gold is the color of choice for this week's parashah. It not only symbolizes the sin of the Golden Calf, but it also represents the kapparah (atonement/recompense) for that sin as it was used to make the lavish keilim (vessels) in the mishkan (tabernacle). I love that the material that caused such a dramatic spiritual downfall for Bnei Yisrael is the very material mandated for the mishkan--which will elevate Bnei Yisrael to spiritual heights. That, I think, is essentially a potent message of the parashah--and the next two that deal with the actual construction of the mishkan. Material objects (as well as personality traits, behaviors, etc.) begin as inherently neutral in their impact on the world. It matters, however, how humans use and relate to the materials. We have the potential to affect whether something quickens our descent into a spiritual quagmire or hastens our ascent to spiritual highs. That's why Onkelos, when translating the text at the start of the parashah about the basin for washing the kohanim's hands and feet, uses the work kiddush (sanctify) rather than rachatz (wash), because even the familiar and common act of washing can become holy. We possess the power to transform the mundane--material items, everyday actions, or even ourselves--into the sacred and sanctified.
On to the menu:
A friend an I are are cooking for another family this shabbat... A golden meal that will, God willing, brighten their shabbat!
Harvest Gold Lentil Soup
Golden Roasted Chicken
Shimmery Corn Kugel
Green and Gold String Bean Salad
Marinated Golden Beets
Golden Carrot Coins
Golden Yellow Tomato Salad
Baked Golden Delicious Apples stuffed with Golden Raisins
Next week it should challenging (and hopefully fun) to come up with ways that the mishkan can come to the table.
Shabbat Shalom!
© Tammie Rapps 2009
On to the menu:
A friend an I are are cooking for another family this shabbat... A golden meal that will, God willing, brighten their shabbat!
Harvest Gold Lentil Soup
Golden Roasted Chicken
Shimmery Corn Kugel
Green and Gold String Bean Salad
Marinated Golden Beets
Golden Carrot Coins
Golden Yellow Tomato Salad
Baked Golden Delicious Apples stuffed with Golden Raisins
Next week it should challenging (and hopefully fun) to come up with ways that the mishkan can come to the table.
Shabbat Shalom!
© Tammie Rapps 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Parashat Tetzaveh
Fashion Sense
a belated return from hiatus...
I am so sorry for not posting the past two weeks. I hope that with this week's parashah I will be back on track. This shabbat will include a lot of play at our table. For starters, we have a paper doll set that I have been creating that introduces the bigdei kehunah, the priestly garments, that the Kohen Gadol wore in his service in the tabernacle. The clothes, as described in the parashah, are ornate, layered, and colorful--which makes them perfectly suited to paper dolls. A color printer and/or copier--and a pair of scissors--were all I needed to make the set. To add a tasty dimension to the fashion show, twelve cupcakes, each shaded with a different jewel-toned frosting form a beautiful choshen/breastplate for the Kohen Gadol...and make for a nice dessert.
Because it is shabbat Zachor, the shabbat preceding Purim in which we read about the Amalekites' attack in the wilderness, I also made a memory game (Zachor) to play at the table. It is mostly images and words associated with Purim, with Haman, and with the Amalekites.
Finally, the one other piece of decor in the dining room is a small LCD light that I put in a votive holder to serve as a ner tamid. We hope to spend time talking about the purpose and symbolism of the ner tamid and why light is such an essential symbol in Judaism.
Looking forward to writing for Ki Tisa next week. I promise, bli neder, no golden calves....
Shabbat Shalom!
© Tammie Rapps 2009
a belated return from hiatus...
I am so sorry for not posting the past two weeks. I hope that with this week's parashah I will be back on track. This shabbat will include a lot of play at our table. For starters, we have a paper doll set that I have been creating that introduces the bigdei kehunah, the priestly garments, that the Kohen Gadol wore in his service in the tabernacle. The clothes, as described in the parashah, are ornate, layered, and colorful--which makes them perfectly suited to paper dolls. A color printer and/or copier--and a pair of scissors--were all I needed to make the set. To add a tasty dimension to the fashion show, twelve cupcakes, each shaded with a different jewel-toned frosting form a beautiful choshen/breastplate for the Kohen Gadol...and make for a nice dessert.
Because it is shabbat Zachor, the shabbat preceding Purim in which we read about the Amalekites' attack in the wilderness, I also made a memory game (Zachor) to play at the table. It is mostly images and words associated with Purim, with Haman, and with the Amalekites.
Finally, the one other piece of decor in the dining room is a small LCD light that I put in a votive holder to serve as a ner tamid. We hope to spend time talking about the purpose and symbolism of the ner tamid and why light is such an essential symbol in Judaism.
Looking forward to writing for Ki Tisa next week. I promise, bli neder, no golden calves....
Shabbat Shalom!
© Tammie Rapps 2009
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