This parsha is going to tell a lot of rules about the Kohenim and the Yom Kippur ritual, but to lead into those instructions the parsha begins with "יהוה spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they drew too close to the presence of יהוה." As a reminder, we read about this tragic event in Parshat Shemini, which this year was 4 Shabbatot ago. Even on a year when we combine parshas and don't have Passover in between, it's at least 2 Shabbatot, with a lot of discussion of tzara'at in between. So, why does this parsha start with the mention of the
deaths? I think it's acknowledging the on-going mourning for Aaron. He has moved on in that he's functioning in his role and going about this day to day business, but Aaron's life is still imbued with the grief of this loss. The Torah doesn't really record much of Aaron's grief or grieving process, but this mention later in the Torah corresponds with my lived experience and that of others I know who have processed their grief over time. I
want to do something that is a traditional mourning food. Jewish custom often rely on circular foods, like hard boiled eggs or potatoes, to represent the circle of life. I would recommend roasting small oval potatoes left whole so you maintain the round structure, such as this dish.
God details the very interesting two goat ceremony for atonement on Yom Kippur. Of course, while there's traditional break-fast foods, there's not really "Yom Kippur" foods. All I could think of is the joke from When Harry Met Sally (which I've seen a gazillion times, including on "speed-throughs" as study breaks in college) when he says
I know that's not really a recipe, but it'll be a good "bit" for your Shabbat table.
Finally, the parsha talks about all of forbidden sexual relations. This section of the Torah has caused quite a bit of pain and disconnect as it alienates the gay community. It's a troublesome text, though by no means is it the only one. It makes me think of the scene in West Wing where President Bartlett points out that just because something is in the Bible, doesn't mean we ascribe to the message or punishment in today's world. In some ways, it would be easier to just say that the text is outdated and ignore it, but I'd rather grapple with it and address it because there's always something to learn. To make sure we did that at the table, I want to infuse some Pride into
dinner with rainbow foods. You can do a rainbow salad, rainbow fruit kabob, or for something a little more of a treat, do rainbow cupcakes. You can make it easy on yourself with simple vanilla cupcakes, vanilla frosting, and a bunch of food coloring so that each cupcake ends up with frosting in a different color of the rainbow.
Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!
Comments