Next week is Tu B’Shevat (15 Shevat/Jan.31), which the Sages teach is the New Year for the Trees. When I was in 9th grade, we lived in Jerusalem for the school year. Aside from the excitement (stress? fear? confusion?) of the Gulf War that winter, one...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Bo, the Hebrew slaves begin their long march to freedom. After ten destructive plagues, which decimate a once powerful Pharaonic Egypt, Pharaoh relents and lets the Israelites go free. It is the tenth and final plague, Maakas Bechoros (death to the...
This post has 2 recipes in one! :) We’ll begin with the cabbage salad and end with the salmon… This is a scrumptious, addictive and beautiful purple cabbage salad. The crunch and flavors of the ingredients blend so well together and the colors are gorgeous. The salad...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Va’era, the redemption from Pharaonic Egypt begins to unfold. A tyrannic, murderous king, who refuses to free the Israelite slaves, along with his willing countrymen, will soon meet their end. The process begins in this week’s parsha with the first...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shemos, the shibbud Mitzrayim (Egyptian enslavement) commences with full force. As was in Nazi Germany, the Hebrews in Egypt are libeled and subjected to slander, harassed with financial oppression, subjugated with forced slave labor, and finally, horrifically tortured with infanticide,...
Here’s another great soup recipe for your coldest-winter-since-the-1800s (or so I was told) table. It’s hearty, visually appealing, warming, filling and delicious. I make my parve soups parve (parve utensils, parve pot), so they can be served before, or alongside, any meal. This one’s...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayechi, the curtain closes on the book of Bereishis. As we read the final verses of the first book of the Torah, we marvel at the passage of time. Did we not just read “In the beginning G-d created the...
This is a tasty, filling, colorful, healthy and hearty salad. Wheat Berries are the whole grain form of wheat - the whole, complete grain before it has undergone any processing. They are essentially fat-free, high in fiber and high in protein. This salad is a really nice...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayigash, we learn of the emotional, tear-filled revelation of the Egyptian viceroy, as the ruler of Ancient Egypt and antiquity, powerfully and stunningly declares (what may arguably be the most famous words in all of Bereishis): אֲנִי יוֹסֵף, הַעוֹד אָבִי...
This is a versatile vegetable side dish, which can be served alongside a meat, chicken or fish dinner. I prefer serving cooked veggies to salad with week night dinners and Friday night Shabbos meals. To me, salads are for lunch :) This recipe also meets my...