It could have just been bread and water?!?!?
As I thought about this parsha and how to create something parsha-related for our Shabbat dinner, I came across this verse:
You shall not prostrate yourself before their gods, and you shall not serve them, and you shall not follow their practices, but you will tear them down and you will completely shatter their monuments. And you will serve Hashem your God, and He will bless your bread and water and I will remove sickness from your midst. [Shemot (Exodus) 23:23-25]
And I thought to myself, "I already have bread and water at every one of our Shabbat dinners! Challah and pitchers of water. EASY!"
But if you know me, you know I couldn't leave well enough alone (pun intended). So, I kept searching and present you with the two menu items that will be specifically made for Parshat Mishpatim
1) The Israelites are instructed about the giving of funds. The rabbis read it that we are both instructed to give tzedakah to those in need and not to charge interest when lending funds (because it will be burdensome.)
If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, do not act toward them as a creditor; exact no interest from them. [Shemot (Exodus) 22:24]
This Shabbat dinner will include Carrot Coins, our own currency for the evening. I'll happily give the coins to my guests for NO INTEREST. I am trying out this recipe:
https://www.floatingkitchen.net/coffee-glazed-roasted-carrots/
2) There are also a slew of instructions about how to behave towards each other's property and, when something happens to that property, who is responsible. It's an important lesson about acknowledging that we have responsibility to each other for how we behave and how that behavior affects others. One that caught my eye for this project is:
When any party opens a pit, or when any party digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or an ass falls into it, the one responsible for the pit must make restitution—paying the price to the owner, but keeping the dead animal. [Shemot (Exodus) 21:33-34]
With "pits" in mind, we'll be eating Chocolate Pudding Cake, complete with "uncovered pit" in the middle (I sure hope no animal falls in!)
Chocolate Pudding Cake (in a BUNDT pan)
3.5 oz instant chocolate pudding mix
1 package chocolate cake mix
4 eggs
1 c. water
1/4 c. vegetable oil.
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 10 in bundt pan. Blend all ingredients in a large mixer bowl. Beat for 2 minutes. Bake for 50-60 mins (until toothpick comes out clean.) Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan.
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