By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant The final Parsha, BECHUKOTAI, in the Book of LEVITICUS begins with stunning clarity of the terms of Jewish life under the covenant. In the first part, there is an idyllic picture of the blessing of Divine favor. If the Israelites follow God’s decrees and keep His commandments, there will […]
Author: AHWebMaint
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: BEHAR (LEVITICUS 25:1-26:2)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week, we read a double Parshiot, (BEHAR) followed by (BECHUKOTAI), ending the Book of Leviticus. The primary themes of Parsha (BEHAR) are laws and commandments, pertaining to freedom, equality, and charity with ‘dignity’. The Lord spoke to Moses and said: “Tell the Children of Israel, you may sow […]
Jane’s Kitchen: Grape and Almond Gaspacho
Servings: 6 2 pounds seedless green grapes 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped 1/4 cup almonds, toasted 2 scallions, white and light green parts only, coarsely chopped 1/8 cup rice or tarragon vinegar 1/2 cup plain yogurt 3 ounces cream cheese 1/4 cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3/4 […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: EMOR (LEVITICUS 21:1-24:3)
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week’s Torah Parsha (EMOR) begins with God saying to Moses: “Speak to the Kohanim; and, say that none of them can become defiled; impure; or, ceremonially unclean; by touching a dead person, unless the one who died is a wife, or a blood relative”(1). The requisite for purity […]
A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: KEDOSHIM (LEVITICUS 19:1-20:27)
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 […]
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 […]