This week we start a new book of the Torah and the very first word of that book is really interesting because of how it's written. In the Torah, Vayikra is written with a little aleph.
This is the kind of thing that's GOT to inspire commentators. There are a few explanations, but I want to focus on this one from the Ba'al Turin (14th c. Spain):
The א of ויקרא is written as a small letter because Moshe wanted to write ויקר (and it happened), the way it is written regarding Bilaam, which implies God appeared to him only as a chance occurrence. God, however, told him to write the א which indicates His love, but Moshe made it small.
There's a lot to be said about Moshe's humility, but I love the interpretation that comes from Mussar's explanation of humility which is about limiting oneself to the appropriate amount of space...So, Moshe took up the right amount of space. When he was supposed to lead, he led. When others should be given authority or independence, he gave that too (like with Betzalel in the parshiot immediately preceding this.) I love discussing this concept of humility so to get us talking about it at Shabbat dinner I went looking for a humble food and what came to mind was humble pie. As it turns out, the phrase of eating humble pie actually is derived from umble pie
which was made with lowly meats, so you could make a meat pie. Another option is this Humble Pie recipe from King Arthur Baking Company (the maker of my favorite flour for challah.)
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/humble-pie-recipe (replace margarine/plant butter for butter and don't use the buttermilk powder if making this pareve)
This parsha (and much of the book of Vayikra) contains a lot of information about sacrifices, including the details of what to burn, which fat, which sections, etc. One of the items that's called out are the kidneys of the sacrificed animals. Rather than focus on the kidney of animals, I figured a good stand-in for parsha inspired menus is kidney beans and I found this recipe, which could be a nice side dish to a chicken/fish/meat entree or a entree for a vegan/vegetarian.
Finally, this is Shabbat Zachor, the Shabbat of Remembering. Shabbat Zachor is the shabbat right
before Purim and we are reminded of the mitzvah to remember what Amalek did to the Jewish people, attacking them after they left Eygpt. There is a Talmudic tradition that says that Haman is a descendant of Amalek, so there's a tie between those who have tried to harm the Jewish people. I originally planned to give this a positive spin and suggest choosing a food that is nostalgic for you, something that makes you remember a person, a place, a special moment, etc. Then I saw the campaign Tastes Like Home which states "134 Israelis are currently held hostage in Gaza. Each individual among them has a name, a face, family, friends, hobbies—and a favorite cookie.
So, bake their favorite cookie and include it along with their personal story in your Mishloach Manot. Together, we will shine a light on their situation and ensure that everyone remembers they are still there."
This is a different kind of remembering of the evil done to Jews for no reason beyond being Jewish. Remember Hirsch, Eitan, Yair, Na'ama, Ori, Daniela, Ohad, Alon, Shlomo, Eden...
I will bake in their honor and in the hopes that they will soon get to enjoy their favorite backed goods in their own homes.
Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!
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