Chicken!

My friend Debbie took offense at my comments about the spies last time we were dealing with parashat shelach. Since I have just received praise from one of the parents of my students that included a comment on my service in the IDF, I remembered that I am supposed to be a brave soldier. On that note I will risk my friend's ire (luckily she is busy nowadays with her daughter's wedding, Baruch Hashem, so maybe she won't notice my little rebellion....) and continue to bash the spies. To wit: "Chickens!".

OK. Giants. Got it. You're former slaves, you have never had to fight anyone in your life. If anyone attacked you, you cowered down and hoped he was in a mild mood today so you may have a chance to survive the beating. But how much time has passed since Sinai? You've already forgotten that amazing show of G-d's mightiness? Never mind the plagues and the splitting of the sea. How can you doubt that a G-d who can do all these can also make sure that you will beat the giants even though you have no experience and certainly no courage? You have faith. We know that, since you followed Moshe out of Egypt on nothing more than his say-so (and the plagues helped, too.) You showed good faith at Sinai (well, for a while, anyway.) Where is that faith now?

That's the problem with faith. Is it strong enough to stand up to fear? When it comes to bravery, it doesn't matter what your faith is in, you understand. Whether in your own powers, in the weapons you have, the backup you called for or the help from above. If you don't believe in it enough, you won't have the courage necessary to face the danger.

Bravery is not about not being afraid. It is about going on despite being terrified. Well, what makes one do that? Faith. Naturally, having faith in G-d is the best since nothing can trump His help. I mean, look at the evidence: David beat Goliath, the Maccabees beat the Greeks, the Israelis beat the Egyptians, Jordanians and Syrians combined (in 6 days, yet.) So yes, all these events took place after the wanderings in the desert, so I can't expect the spies to know about them. Still, how cowardly of the spies to have so little faith in the promises (not to mention the abilities) of the G-d who beat the Egyptians for them, split the sea before them and put on that awesome show at Sinai. What chickens.

Speaking of chickens, the time has come to release one of my best dishes. I am very proud of this one. This is something I have figured out how to make from a picture. No recipe.  And it came out great. See? You gotta have faith.


Chicken in balsamic vinegar


2 chicken breast cutlets (skinless, boneless) cut into 2x2 inch cubes.
Coarse salt, fresh ground black pepper and thyme (to taste, a few pinches of each)
2 Tbs oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup grape tomatoes quartered (you can use other tomatoes, just cut them the same way)
2-3 Tbs vegetable broth (or chicken broth or even just water), as needed
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (use the best quality you can buy)


Sprinkle salt, pepper and thyme on the chicken cubes.
Heat oil over medium high heat and brown chicken cubes on all sides.
Add garlic and cook, stirring, for one minute.
Add tomatoes and cook, stirring, another minute.
If the mixture looks too dry, add 2 or 3 tbs of broth or water and mix well for another minute.
Add balsamic vinegar and mix well.
Cook, uncovered, for 3-5 minutes, stirring well occasionally, until the mixture thickens a little.



Makes 2 servings.





I don't know what chickens have faith in, but find your own so you won't end up being one.