When my parents were choosing the date for my bat mitzvah, I remember my mom aiming for a date in March before we hit the book of Leviticus. She knew that Leviticus had a lot of details about sacrifices and thought it might not be the best material for a bat mitzvah speech. In hindsight, give that she didn't have much of a Jewish education, it's impressive that she knew about the contents of Leviticus.
I think it was a good call, but as I do this #parshainspiredmenus project I've enjoyed finding
meaningful details to highlight, even in the midst of very technical descriptions of sacrificial procedures. This week we read about the instructions to Aaron and his sons on their role in the sacrifices brought by the people.
I noted several sacrifices that are specifically designated as having all or a portion of the sacrifice "turned into smoke." Sometimes it's connected with being a pleasing order to God, sometimes it's just laid out as the instruction. What is a deeper meaning of the smoke? Perhaps it can connect with the pillar of cloud that the Israelites saw in the desert. Perhaps, as the smoke rises up people felt that the messages of their sacrifice were lifted up to heaven. Interestingly, Judaism is not the only religion we smoke is connected to God and ritual. Check out some of these other religions meaning and ritual behind smoke. https://www.holisticshop.co.uk/articles/sacred-smoke
Thinking of smoke made me think of Smoked Paprika, a spice I never heard of until a few years ago, but I love how involved its flavor is. I want a dish that keeps that flavor at the forefront, so trying out this Smoky Roasted Cauliflower by Tori Avey. https://toriavey.com/smoky-roasted-cauliflower/
Another offering described is the thanksgiving-offering. This was offered voluntarily, as compared to in response to a mistake. It makes sense to me that one of the 5 sacrifices described centers on this positive emotion of being grateful for something good that has happened and wanting to acknowledge that with a ritual or ceremony. This one seemed like a gimme...thanksgiving offering should mean we make something for dinner that's Thanksgiving-y.
You can choose your favorite Thanksgiving dish. I'm going to make Delish.com's version of Green Bean Casserole, subbing in margarine for butter and soy milk for whole milk for the creamy sauce. https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/a55340/easy-homemade-classic-green-bean-casserole-recipe/
Finally, there's a really interesting detail about the peace-offering.
He that offers his peace offering to the Lord shall bring his offering to the Lord of the sacrifice of his peace offering. His own hands shall bring the offerings of the Lord made by fire, the fat with the breast, it shall he bring, that the breast may be waved for a wave offering before the Lord. (Vayikra 7:29-30)
"Waved as a wave offering?" What is that about? A wave offering was a portion of a sacrifice presented to God, then released so that it would be given to the Kohanim as food for them and their families. Some of the other sacrifices also have parts that were given to the Kohanim, but something about the peace offering led to this specific waving ritual. While in our parsha it only mentions waving the breast, later in Vayikra (10:15) the thigh is also listed as being part of the wave service. I may not really wave it around, but I'll be making Tomato Basil Chicken from Kosher by Design - Short on Time with chicken breasts and thighs.
Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!
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