When one reads Genesis 1, one can see how the theory of evolution might make sense. The creation of the world reads very much like the flow of evolution that made Charles Darwin so famous. Of course, Genesis explains the cause differently than Mr. Darwin, but the essence is there: Life on earth has developed in stages, with escalating levels of complexity and organization.
So we can assume that the less complex life forms were created first, then life was created in higher and higher levels until the crown of creation: A human. To all those who complain that the bible places women on an inferior level; and those who believe it and use it to oppress women, here is G-d's own work: He created male and female together. As equals.
So there.
Unfortunately, Genesis does not end after chapter one. There's a second version (appropriately enough, it's named 'chapter 2') that tells of G-d creating man first, then all the trees and then all the animals and then a woman as sort of an appendix to the man.
Generations of scholars have tried to puzzle this out. Why are there two versions and why are they so different, and which one is the 'right' one and what does it all mean, anyway? I believe the consensus is that both versions are somehow correct at the same time and it's only our very limited human understanding that prevent us from getting it. At any rate, since both are in the sacred text, we must assume they somehow mesh together. Maybe the first one is the plan and the second is what actually happened?
But, if we try to incorporate both versions, we might reach the conclusion that G-d was creating the world in escalating levels of complexity and organization (on the cellular and organ level) and suddenly realized that man was a much lower creature than He assumed. In the second version, after all, man was created before almost everything else. What was the last thing to be created? The creation we assume (according to the first version) is at the highest level of sophistication? That's right. Woman.
(Dear Friend (and you know who you are) who is getting ready to have me drawn and quartered: I'm not done yet, relax.)
So what are we to do? Are men and women equals? created at the same time as a "package deal" called 'human'? or are men superior to women since everything seems to have been created for them (trees and animals and even women themselves)? or are women superior to men, having been created at the very top of the creation ladder (when G-d already knew exactly which mistakes to avoid, so to speak)?
There are many proofs to the argument that, on a purely biological level, women are superior. There are just as many arguments that they are superior on a social level. The Talmud offers arguments that women are superior on a spiritual level, too. So where did humanity go wrong during the last few millenniums? How did men manage to come out on top?
There is a theory that claims that G-d did not create a man and a woman but a human. That the first human was a creature made of both genders attached back to back. That the "creation" of woman was simply a separation of the two so they can face each other ("Ke-negdo") and not be alone any more. After all, the Hebrew word for 'rib' also means 'side' (as in the 'sides' of a triangle, for example.) That's why man could not find any animal to suit him as a spouse. His soul mate was attached to him the whole time. Doesn't Genesis 2 state clearly: "That's why a man will leave his mother and father and cleave to his woman and they shall become one flesh"?
There is no doubt in my mind as to who is the more evolved one in my marriage. But without each other, we are simply halves of a whole. We need both of our qualities to make a complete human. (Not a person. A Human.) As my daughter said at the end of our trip to Israel: "Thank you Imma and Aba for this wonderful trip, where Imma came up with fun and interesting stuff to do and Aba made sure it was cheap."
We all need each other because without each other we are not complete. Without the 'bad' qualities of our spouse, life will have no flavor, no zest. We want our lives to be sweet and tart, salty and spicy and wonderful. Just like the arba minim, we need more than one way to look at every situation in life.
This dish is sweet, tart and spicy. Since you would want to eat it with some chips, it will have saltiness, as well. And what can be more appropriate for this season than a pomegranate (which makes better sense as a candidate for the "forbidden fruit" than an apple. Pomegranates are way more tempting.)
Pomegranate Salsa
Mix together:
Juice from one large pomegranate (or 1/4 cup bottled juice; just juice, no sugar added, no cocktail stuff; plain juice of pomegranate.)
2 cups of pomegranate seeds (about 2-3 pomegranate's worth)
3-4 tsp of minced fresh jalapeno
1/4 cup minced yellow bell pepper
4 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro (or parsley, but only if you must)
1 Tbs sugar
1 Tbs rice vinegar
Serve with tortilla or pita chips.
Makes enough for 8 servings as a small appetizer
I have no idea if men are 'better' than women or vice versa. I do know they tend to behave childishly and act before they think. It's endearing, in a way, but I believe I will go on thinking that women are superior biologically, socially and spiritually. I have experts' support for all three. And as the superior gender, it is up to us to lovingly guide them into being better humans. I recommend bribery.
(Dear Friend who still wants to berate me, you can unleash your fury now.)
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Beats me
I have already mentioned my aversion to home made kreplach (I'm talking about having to make them myself, of course; home made kreplach are the best when they are made by someone else.) My mom was making a bunch once (about 3 or 4 hundred is her usual amount to make at one sitting) and was in a mellow mood so I asked why she makes them for Succot when it's still too hot for soup (that was back in the ancient days of my youth, when I lived in Israel, where it is always too hot for soup.) She explained that kreplach are traditionally eaten on occasions when beatings take place, like Yom Kippur, Hosha'na Raba and Purim. I did not quite believe her because if what she said had been true, we would have been eating kreplach every week.
This shows the importance of study. I always tell my kids that it's all good and well to follow tradition and keep mitzvot, but if you have no clue why you're doing what you're doing, you are missing a large portion of your heritage and that's a shame. My mother in law showed the same level of knowledge when I asked why Iranian Jews eat dairy on Purim (when they so overwhelmingly prefer meat.) I will leave the reasoning for that one as an exercise for the student and concentrate on the kreplach issue.
It all stems from the fact that the word for 'beaten' and the word for 'chopped' are the same in Yiddish ('gehacked'). Therefore "chopped liver" is actually "beaten liver". Why? because in the days before food processors or meat grinders, our great great grandmas used to chop everything by hand. My own grandma used to chop things this way and I still remember her standing at the cutting board (a thick slab of hard wood), beating down on the meat with a heavy cleaver. The poor liver never had a chance. To this day, proper kebab is made by hand chopping the meat, instead of the easier method of grinding it in a machine. Hand made is usually better tasting and certainly more authentic than machine made, isn't it?
So the kreplach, filled with chopped ("beaten") cooked meat, was traditionally served on those occasions when something or someone was beaten (again, they did not include corporal punishments in this category, which is totally unfair). On Yom Kippur, men are supposed to be whipped in shul (and guess what, they won't let the women watch; never mind yield the whip themselves. Oh, well, at least they get a whippin' for the way they behaved during the rest of the year...) On Purim, we beat out the name of Haman, of course. And on Hosha'na Raba, we beat the aravot. Anyone knows why? Please enlighten me.
At any rate, the women (of course) will be toiling away in the kitchen, making kreplach. Which, let me tell you, is an endless, exhausting and mind numbing ordeal (and that's just for the one watching the process.) And, as I explained on a previous occasion, I have no patience for this back breaking chore. So how will we eat a 'beaten" food this coming week?
By stealing a recipe from and Israeli website, naturally. This comes from a chef called Ruthy Kaynan who has completely circumnavigated the issue of rolling, cutting, folding, sealing (usually imperfectly, resulting in exploded kreplach) and storing until ready. Ms. Kaynan claimed that, since the point was the 'beaten' part, why bother with the dough? Genius, pure genius.
Non-kreplach
1 Lb. ground chicken breast (or you can chop it by hand, mwhahaha)
2 eggs
2 Tbs each: chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh dill, chopped scallions.
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 heaping Tbs bread crumbs
Salt and pepper to taste (I recommend a lot because, hey, it's chicken breast. We all know how flavorful that is, right?)
1 and 1/4 qt chicken broth (home made or bought)
Mix all the ingredients except the broth and let rest 10 minutes.
Bring broth to a boil. Meanwhile, with wet hands, shape chicken mixture into small balls (like matzoh balls, but smaller) about the size of a walnut.
Drop chicken balls into boiling broth (you may have to do this in batches), wait until they float and cook over medium high heat for another five minutes after floating.
Remove with a slotted spoon.
Serve in chicken soup.
Makes 4-6 servings.
What else can you serve this week to keep with the 'beaten' theme? smashed potatoes, chopped liver, coleslaw, chopped salad and, of course, chocolate chip cookies.
Enjoy Succot. It's not every year that we are lucky enough to have weather warm enough to sit outside until all hours, yet cool enough to serve soup.
This shows the importance of study. I always tell my kids that it's all good and well to follow tradition and keep mitzvot, but if you have no clue why you're doing what you're doing, you are missing a large portion of your heritage and that's a shame. My mother in law showed the same level of knowledge when I asked why Iranian Jews eat dairy on Purim (when they so overwhelmingly prefer meat.) I will leave the reasoning for that one as an exercise for the student and concentrate on the kreplach issue.
It all stems from the fact that the word for 'beaten' and the word for 'chopped' are the same in Yiddish ('gehacked'). Therefore "chopped liver" is actually "beaten liver". Why? because in the days before food processors or meat grinders, our great great grandmas used to chop everything by hand. My own grandma used to chop things this way and I still remember her standing at the cutting board (a thick slab of hard wood), beating down on the meat with a heavy cleaver. The poor liver never had a chance. To this day, proper kebab is made by hand chopping the meat, instead of the easier method of grinding it in a machine. Hand made is usually better tasting and certainly more authentic than machine made, isn't it?
So the kreplach, filled with chopped ("beaten") cooked meat, was traditionally served on those occasions when something or someone was beaten (again, they did not include corporal punishments in this category, which is totally unfair). On Yom Kippur, men are supposed to be whipped in shul (and guess what, they won't let the women watch; never mind yield the whip themselves. Oh, well, at least they get a whippin' for the way they behaved during the rest of the year...) On Purim, we beat out the name of Haman, of course. And on Hosha'na Raba, we beat the aravot. Anyone knows why? Please enlighten me.
At any rate, the women (of course) will be toiling away in the kitchen, making kreplach. Which, let me tell you, is an endless, exhausting and mind numbing ordeal (and that's just for the one watching the process.) And, as I explained on a previous occasion, I have no patience for this back breaking chore. So how will we eat a 'beaten" food this coming week?
By stealing a recipe from and Israeli website, naturally. This comes from a chef called Ruthy Kaynan who has completely circumnavigated the issue of rolling, cutting, folding, sealing (usually imperfectly, resulting in exploded kreplach) and storing until ready. Ms. Kaynan claimed that, since the point was the 'beaten' part, why bother with the dough? Genius, pure genius.
Non-kreplach
1 Lb. ground chicken breast (or you can chop it by hand, mwhahaha)
2 eggs
2 Tbs each: chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh dill, chopped scallions.
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 heaping Tbs bread crumbs
Salt and pepper to taste (I recommend a lot because, hey, it's chicken breast. We all know how flavorful that is, right?)
1 and 1/4 qt chicken broth (home made or bought)
Mix all the ingredients except the broth and let rest 10 minutes.
Bring broth to a boil. Meanwhile, with wet hands, shape chicken mixture into small balls (like matzoh balls, but smaller) about the size of a walnut.
Drop chicken balls into boiling broth (you may have to do this in batches), wait until they float and cook over medium high heat for another five minutes after floating.
Remove with a slotted spoon.
Serve in chicken soup.
Makes 4-6 servings.
What else can you serve this week to keep with the 'beaten' theme? smashed potatoes, chopped liver, coleslaw, chopped salad and, of course, chocolate chip cookies.
Enjoy Succot. It's not every year that we are lucky enough to have weather warm enough to sit outside until all hours, yet cool enough to serve soup.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
For what I did wrong
"I'm sorry for what I did wrong" sing the pre-K kids this week. It is a time for recalling our deeds of the previous year and apologizing for the wrong ones. Then concentrating on atonement during Yom Kippur itself. Meanwhile, everyone wishes everyone else "Easy fast". Well if it is to be easy, what sort of atonement is that?
For the confused, the fast is not to atone for our sins. It is to concentrate our attention on nothing but our thoughts and prayers. If you recall last week, services were probably interrupted by thinking about the lunch to come. Granted, we're supposed to pay close attention to the liturgy, but let's be frank here, now and then the thought of the brisket slipped in.
Not so on Yom Kippur. There is no food to think about (although many people talk of nothing else on Yom Kippur) so you can safely pray with all your heart and all your mind and all your soul.
But before that, we still need to eat the Se'uda Mafseket. The meal before the fast. Can we make that meal appropriate for the day ahead? Let's see. The theme of the day is being sorry for things we did wrong. Well I don't know about you, my friends, but I did a lot of wrong things in regards to food this year. Here's an incomplete list:
I'm sorry, Oh Lord, for every extra slice of pizza I had.
For the times I gave in and had chocolate.
For the days I just had to have cheese and more cheese.
For all the pitas I had in Israel.
Not to mention the burekas.
I'm sorry, oh Lord, for the third helping of non vegetable items (and please, Lord, if you don't mind too much, can we just forget about the fourth helping?)
For ice cream and cake and chips of all kind.
For anything fried.
Or smothered with cheese.
Or butter.
For candy I took from kids (my own kids, but still...)
For every time I could have had a salad but chose fries instead.
For the nuts (my one big downfall).
Forgive me, Lord, please overlook my overindulgence.
So there's a lot to be sorry for, as you can see. Now, about that meal.
Many years ago, my brother in law and his dad got caught up in New York traffic and arrived home with only minutes to spare before the beginning of Yom Kippur. My mother in law was besides herself "They did not have anything to eat before the fast. How will they survive? They will surely faint from hunger and have a very hard time." To this day, my brother in law Andy fondly recalls that Yom Kippur as the easiest fast he's ever had. All experts agree with him. Before a fast, we tend to over eat in order to over compensate for the upcoming deprivation. There is no need. Especially in my case, as the above list shows. Believe me when I tell you that healthy people have plenty of reserves to fast for days.
Fine. So what should we have this Friday afternoon? I asked my family what they want and they said:
Whatever. (Hubby is so sweet, isn't he?)
Chicken (Thank G-d she did not say steak)
Soup (A vegetarian soup, of course)
Soup's a great idea. It has none of the foods on my 'sin list' and it's filled with liquids. But which soup? Back to the family.
Whatever.
I hate soup.
Minestrone.
(Guess who said what).
Minestrone is sort of like chicken soup but in Italian. What I mean is: there are endless variations and each mama thinks hers is THE one. Basically we're talking a vegetable soup with beans and pasta. All recommended by nutrition experts for pre-fast meals.
Atonement Minestrone
2 Tbs oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups diced squash (zucchini or yellow squash)
2 stalks of celery, diced.
1/2 cup diced carrots
2 1/2 cups diced potatoes
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
6 cups water
1 cup cooked small beans (you can used canned or leftovers)
A handful of small pasta (shells, elbows, orzo, whatever)
A handful of chopped fresh basil leaves
3 branches thyme (or 1/4 tsp dried thyme)
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
Saute onion and garlic in oil over medium heat for five minutes.
Add next 8 ingredients. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat for 10-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Add the rest of the ingredients and keep cooking for another 5-7 minutes or until pasta is cooked.
Serve hot.
Serves 6.
Have an easy fast. Why not? With this soup to start you on Yom Kippur, the fast part will be easy. The sins/atonement/apologizing/praying/not repeating your sins during the coming year - that will be difficult. Especially the pizza part.
For the confused, the fast is not to atone for our sins. It is to concentrate our attention on nothing but our thoughts and prayers. If you recall last week, services were probably interrupted by thinking about the lunch to come. Granted, we're supposed to pay close attention to the liturgy, but let's be frank here, now and then the thought of the brisket slipped in.
Not so on Yom Kippur. There is no food to think about (although many people talk of nothing else on Yom Kippur) so you can safely pray with all your heart and all your mind and all your soul.
But before that, we still need to eat the Se'uda Mafseket. The meal before the fast. Can we make that meal appropriate for the day ahead? Let's see. The theme of the day is being sorry for things we did wrong. Well I don't know about you, my friends, but I did a lot of wrong things in regards to food this year. Here's an incomplete list:
I'm sorry, Oh Lord, for every extra slice of pizza I had.
For the times I gave in and had chocolate.
For the days I just had to have cheese and more cheese.
For all the pitas I had in Israel.
Not to mention the burekas.
I'm sorry, oh Lord, for the third helping of non vegetable items (and please, Lord, if you don't mind too much, can we just forget about the fourth helping?)
For ice cream and cake and chips of all kind.
For anything fried.
Or smothered with cheese.
Or butter.
For candy I took from kids (my own kids, but still...)
For every time I could have had a salad but chose fries instead.
For the nuts (my one big downfall).
Forgive me, Lord, please overlook my overindulgence.
So there's a lot to be sorry for, as you can see. Now, about that meal.
Many years ago, my brother in law and his dad got caught up in New York traffic and arrived home with only minutes to spare before the beginning of Yom Kippur. My mother in law was besides herself "They did not have anything to eat before the fast. How will they survive? They will surely faint from hunger and have a very hard time." To this day, my brother in law Andy fondly recalls that Yom Kippur as the easiest fast he's ever had. All experts agree with him. Before a fast, we tend to over eat in order to over compensate for the upcoming deprivation. There is no need. Especially in my case, as the above list shows. Believe me when I tell you that healthy people have plenty of reserves to fast for days.
Fine. So what should we have this Friday afternoon? I asked my family what they want and they said:
Whatever. (Hubby is so sweet, isn't he?)
Chicken (Thank G-d she did not say steak)
Soup (A vegetarian soup, of course)
Soup's a great idea. It has none of the foods on my 'sin list' and it's filled with liquids. But which soup? Back to the family.
Whatever.
I hate soup.
Minestrone.
(Guess who said what).
Minestrone is sort of like chicken soup but in Italian. What I mean is: there are endless variations and each mama thinks hers is THE one. Basically we're talking a vegetable soup with beans and pasta. All recommended by nutrition experts for pre-fast meals.
Atonement Minestrone
2 Tbs oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups diced squash (zucchini or yellow squash)
2 stalks of celery, diced.
1/2 cup diced carrots
2 1/2 cups diced potatoes
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
6 cups water
1 cup cooked small beans (you can used canned or leftovers)
A handful of small pasta (shells, elbows, orzo, whatever)
A handful of chopped fresh basil leaves
3 branches thyme (or 1/4 tsp dried thyme)
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
Saute onion and garlic in oil over medium heat for five minutes.
Add next 8 ingredients. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat for 10-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Add the rest of the ingredients and keep cooking for another 5-7 minutes or until pasta is cooked.
Serve hot.
Serves 6.
Have an easy fast. Why not? With this soup to start you on Yom Kippur, the fast part will be easy. The sins/atonement/apologizing/praying/not repeating your sins during the coming year - that will be difficult. Especially the pizza part.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Beginnings and endings
When we first met him, he was about to die. Had he died then, he would have been lost in history, unknown, unimportant and with not a single deed to his name.
And here he is about to die again. For real this time. But what a difference 120 years make. There is no chance anyone will ever forget Moshe. He has behind him years of greatness and loads of achievements. He has been the most important person in Jewish history (can't think of anyone before or after that is/was as essential to the Jewish nation as Moshe.)
Plenty has been written about the last two parashot of the Torah, but it's almost time for lighting candles for Rosh Hashana so I won't bug you with more preaching and learned discussions. Just this: Like Moshe, let us all try to live our lives in such a way that when we stand at the top of our mountain, we will know that our lives had been worth something to more than just ourselves; that it was a great thing we did not drown in the Nile and that we have achieved greatness (even if just in a small way), made a difference in at least one person's life and did at least one thing to be remembered by.
Think back to where you were last year on this day. Are you in a better place? Do you have a plan for being in an even better one next year on erev Rosh Hashana? What needs to be done in order to get there?
No recipe (seriously, is there anyone out there who is not sick of cooking right now?). Just an idea. Something you can do with the kids just before dinner to keep them busy:
Pick an apple that can stand well by itself (or slice a small layer from the bottom). Slice open the top, empty it carefully (maybe with a melon ball spoon or an apple core thingie), brush the inside with lemon juice to prevent browning, fill with honey. If you have a lot of kids and they are really antsy, you can make enough for everyone at the table (since you have nothing to do right now and had spent the last three days at the spa...)
May we all have a year full of health, happiness and, most of all, peace.
And here he is about to die again. For real this time. But what a difference 120 years make. There is no chance anyone will ever forget Moshe. He has behind him years of greatness and loads of achievements. He has been the most important person in Jewish history (can't think of anyone before or after that is/was as essential to the Jewish nation as Moshe.)
Plenty has been written about the last two parashot of the Torah, but it's almost time for lighting candles for Rosh Hashana so I won't bug you with more preaching and learned discussions. Just this: Like Moshe, let us all try to live our lives in such a way that when we stand at the top of our mountain, we will know that our lives had been worth something to more than just ourselves; that it was a great thing we did not drown in the Nile and that we have achieved greatness (even if just in a small way), made a difference in at least one person's life and did at least one thing to be remembered by.
Think back to where you were last year on this day. Are you in a better place? Do you have a plan for being in an even better one next year on erev Rosh Hashana? What needs to be done in order to get there?
No recipe (seriously, is there anyone out there who is not sick of cooking right now?). Just an idea. Something you can do with the kids just before dinner to keep them busy:
Pick an apple that can stand well by itself (or slice a small layer from the bottom). Slice open the top, empty it carefully (maybe with a melon ball spoon or an apple core thingie), brush the inside with lemon juice to prevent browning, fill with honey. If you have a lot of kids and they are really antsy, you can make enough for everyone at the table (since you have nothing to do right now and had spent the last three days at the spa...)
May we all have a year full of health, happiness and, most of all, peace.
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