By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant The second Parsha for this week (KEDOSHIM) begins with the momentous call: “You shall be holy because I, the Lord, your God am holy” (1). This statement is followed by repetition of dozens of ‘Divine’ commandments, which would enable the Israelites to consecrate their holy relationship with God. This […]
Author: AHWebMaint
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: ACHAREI MOT (LEVITICUS 16:1-18:30)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week, we read two Parshiot, (ACHAREI MOT), followed by Parsha (KEDOSHIM). The primary focus of the first Parsha pertains to the ancient rituals of Yom Kippur, the ‘Day of Atonement’. During the period of MISHNAH (i.e. the first major redaction of the Oral Torah) in the second century, […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: TAZRIA-METZORA (LEVITICUS 12:1-15:33)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week, we read a double Parshiot (TAZRIA), followed by Parsha (METZORA). Each of these Parshiot describe in punctilious detail, the bewildering phenomenon of ‘TZARAAT’. In effect, this is a physical manifestation of a spiritual malaise, frequently mistranslated as ‘leprosy’. An individual afflicted with ‘TZARAAT’, would be referred […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: SHEMINI (LEVITICUS 9:1-11:47)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant For several weeks and many chapters- – the longest prelude in the Torah – – we have read of the preparations for the moment at which God would bring His Presence to rest in the midst of the people. Five Torah Parshiot (TERUMAH, TETZAVEH, KI TISA, VAYAKHEL, and PEKUDI) […]
Jane’s Kitchen: Joan Nathan’s Honey Orange Chicken
Servings: 4 1 large eggs 1 teaspoon water 1/2 cup matza meal or breadcrumbs 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/16 teaspoon pepper 3 pounds chicken breast, skinless, boneless, about 10-12 ounces each, If your chicken breasts are an inch thick, flatten them down a little to ¾ inch thick. 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup […]
Jane’s Kitchen: Ashkephardic Charoset
The best of both worlds, combining Ashkenazic apple and Sephardic date charoset. 1 cup walnuts or other nuts (if allergic substitute sunflower, pumpkin or sesame seeds) 1/2 pound pitted dates 1/4 pound mixed dried fruit such as raisins, dried cranberries, or apricots 1/4 cup unsweetened cranberry juice (Knudsen’s), orange juice or Passover wine 1/2 […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: TZAV (LEVITICUS 6:1-8:36)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant The primary theme of last week’s Torah Parsha (VAYIKRA) pertained to the five diverse sacrifices, which the Israelites presented at the Sanctuary. On the surface, this week’s Torah Parsha (TZAV) appears to be merely an extension of Parsha (VAYIKRA), differentiated solely by the focus shifting to the Kohanim, […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: VAKIRA (LEVITICUS 1:1-5:26)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week’s Torah Parsha (VAKIRA) is the first Parsha in the Book of Leviticus, known formally as ‘Torat Kohanim’ (instructions for the Priests) (1). The title for this Parsha defines the entire Book of Leviticus. We have just completed reading the thrilling and dramatic story of the Book of […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI (EXODUS 3:51-40:38)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week we read two Parshiot (VAYKHEL) followed by Parsha (PEKUDEI). Each of these Parshiot are replete with multiple, and frequently contradictory interpretations. The logical rationale for the perplexity of the sages is a remarkable concurrence of events, without apparent connection. In effect, with the exception of a few […]
Jane’s Kitchen: Mina de Espinaca
(Turkish Spinach, Cheese, Potato and Matzo pie) Servings: 6 2 large potatoes, russet or yukon gold 1 tablespoon + 2 ¾ tsp kosher salt 1 1/4 cups shredded parmesan cheese (or feta for spinach portion and part feta for potatoes) 1 8 ounce block cream cheese, or part cream cheese and part ricotta 2 […]