So many questions, so little time

There are so many questions about this week's parasha. The first and most impossible is "What is it with that red heifer?" It's such a complicated paragraph, with so many components and none of them make any sense to the casual reader (even great scholars over the centuries had problems with it.)

Also, both of Moshe's siblings die during the parasha. Poor man. Why do the people mourn Aharon for 30 days but no mourning is mentioned about Miriam's death? 

And, why in the world did several countries refuse to let the Israelites pass through even though they promised not to touch anything and to pay for anything they will use even by accident? (Actually, for this question I do have an answer. Observe what happened when the Jews were expelled from Spain, and when they tried to flee Nazi Germany. It's apparently the way of the world.)

Why did G-d send snakes and serpents this time? And why make a snake 'statue' of all things as a 'cure'? There are some answers to this one but it's still weird.

And what's with all these fragments of poetry? Suddenly everyone's a poet? What are these poems about? What is described in them? Very, very strange.

And if, as described in Bamidbar chapter 21, verse 25, the Israelites have beaten the Emorites and settled in their cities, who was it that later crossed the Yarden and settled K'naan?

And what about Bamidbar chapter 20 verses 1-5. There's no water. OK. We've encountered this problem before. But look at verse 5. They complain that there are no (in order): 1. Seeds 2. Figs 3. Grapes 4. Pomegranate and, Oh yes, 5. Water.

Really? I can understand their complaint later (21:5) where they say "There's no bread and no water". But in chapter 20 they are complaining because there are no pomegranates??? And they tack on the water as an afterthought? What is wrong with these people? Oh, right. They are by nature complainers, and not very bright about it, either.


So. Pomegranates. Good stuff. Must have tasted yummy with the quail.


Drumsticks in Pomegranate  syrup



20 chicken drumsticks
4-5 large onions, halved and thinly sliced
Leaves from 4 branches of fresh thyme
5-6 sage leaves
10 whole black peppercorns
1/2 cup Silan (see note 1)
1/4 cup Pomegranate syrup (see note 2)
1/2 cup dry wine (red or white, your choice)
Scant tablespoon of coarse salt (sea salt or kosher salt)
1/2 cup olive oil


Mix everything together in a bowl (or ziptop baggie) and let rest for an hour (in the fridge if it's a warm day)
Drain, reserving marinade.
In a baking dish arrange the onion slices, put the drumsticks on top of the onion and pour in the reserved marinade, only enough to cover the onions.
Bake at the bottom part of the oven: 400F for 30 minutes, then 375F for another 30 minutes.
Turn drumsticks so the roasted part will face down and continue baking at 375F for another hour, until the onions caramelize. Baste frequently throughout the whole baking time.

Note 1: Silan is an Israeli product. It is a sort of honey made of dates (most people believe this is the "honey" mentioned in the bible). You can find it in most stores that carry Israeli foods, even Shoprite.

Note 2: Pomegranate syrup is sometimes called pomegranate molasses or pomegranate concentrate. Basically it is a concentrate of pomegranate juice. Try to find it. It's an excellent thing to have on hand and worth the search. Try Middle Eastern markets.



And all those questions? What do I look like? A smart person? I don't know. The whole point of the Torah is to ask questions about it, so as to start conversations (Haredim in Israel, please take note.)