The Shabbat Table: Weekly Notes from ChayaLeah

#4

Well, it looks like this might be a thing now. I even have a post-it note on my computer with all the thoughts I had throughout the week that I wanted to include in this post!

Special message for my siblings reading this: Read until the end… there’s a special surprise for you!

Let me start by getting something off my chest…you cannot convince me that this was a serious fashion choice made by this actress to wear to the Oscars and not to a Purim party:

Here is a link to to see what other potential Purim costumes Hollywood rolled out this week: Oscar fashion or Purim Ready?

Speaking of clothing………

PARSHA

The clothing of the High Priest, as described in this week’s Parsha. I found this picture on Pinterest, and it made me laugh. How would Aaron, the first High Priest, have felt about Pinterest?

This week’s Parsha is Titzaveh. At first glance, it might seem a bit boring, and even a deeper dive doesn't immediately reveal anything particularly exciting. However, if you look closely enough, there's a lot more beneath the surface. As always, the Lubavitcher Rebbe offers profound insights into this Parsha, and you can explore many of them here.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Titzaveh is that Moses isn't mentioned at all. This omission is tied to a powerful moment from the past. When G-d was enraged by the Jewish people's worship of the golden calf and considered destroying them, Moses had a bold response. He basically told G-d, “If you punish them too harshly, then I don't want any part of this Torah.” (I’m paraphrasing, of course.) To emphasize the gravity of his words, Moses made it clear that he’d rather not be included in the Torah if it meant the Jews would be destroyed. In the end, G-d relented and forgave the Jewish people, but as a reminder of Moses' bold stance, his name is left out of this week’s Parsha. Needless to say, Moses is such a boss.

Now, I’m no Moses but this story illustrates to me that G-d appreciates a fiery defense of the Jewish people. G-d was not looking to Moses to simply go along with whatever G-d told him- He wanted the passionate push back. This is the kind of G-d that I can believe in.

The Parsha also describes the clothing of the Priests and High Priest… calling Anna Wintour….

Side note: Today is the 7th day of Adar- the day Moses was born AND the day he passed away. Moses was the greatest leader of the Jewish people ever and so today must be special. I’ll probably celebrate by eating something sugary and carby. Why Moses, why??

SHABBAT

I’m teaching a weekly Intro to Judaism class to a group of my students, and this week we dove into the topic of Shabbat. It was astonishing to hear how badly the students crave “rest.” I argued, non-judgmentally of course, that G-d gave us the greatest gift—the gift of Shabbat—and so many people choose to ignore it. We have the chance to disengage from the world, put our phones away, close X, and yet most people opt out. It’s baffling to me. I understand not taking on kosher laws. I get not wearing a wig or growing a long beard. But not doing some kind of Shabbat practice is crazy to me.

I like this quote:

“As it speaks to me, a contemporary person,” Blu Greenberg (1983)

“Let me paraphrase the Biblical injunction, as it speaks to me, a contemporary person:

Six days shall you be a workaholic; on the seventh day, shall you join the serene company of human beings.

Six days shall you take orders from your boss; on the seventh day, shall you be master/mistress of your own life.

Six days shall you toil in the market; on the seventh day, shall you detach from money matters.

Six days shall you create, drive, create, invent, push, drive; on the seventh day, shall you reflect.

Six days shall you be the perfect success; on the seventh day, shall you remember that not everything is in your power.

Six days shall you be a miserable failure; on the seventh day, shall you be on top of the world.”

IF MEGHAN MARKLE CAN HAVE A COOKING SHOW I CAN SHARE MY RECIPES

One of the most popular things I make is a LEEK DIP that is perfect to eat with fresh Challah. It’s so easy that even Jay and my Dad could make it.

Here are the ingredients: Leeks, jalapeños, garlic, dates, olive oil, and salt

Here is a picture of the before and after:

Chopped leeks, dates, garlic, and jalapeño

Chop up leeks, dates, garlic, and jalapeños. Then pour olive oil all over it and sprinkle enough salt to make it tasty. Then bake it for 35 minutes in a 350 degree oven. I don’t know amounts, just play around with it until it tastes good. I know, I’m the next Martha Stewart.

Final Product

I’m going to wrap this up with a special treat! Purim is coming up this week (stay tuned for a whole new episode dedicated to Purim), and I was on a mission to track down this musical retelling of the story. If you want to understand my childhood trauma, you have to listen to this complete album. We played this cassette tape on repeat for weeks leading up to Purim. I know every word by heart. For years, I couldn’t find it, but thanks to the magic of the internet, it’s now available on YouTube. You’re welcome.