Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
Parsha of the week
BESHALACH
This parsha tells us one of the most popular and famous stories in the torah,
that of the Exodus from Egypt. It has been said that only 1/5th of the Israelites left Egypt and that 4/5th died during the plague of darkness. They simply could not face the life of total insecurity that Moses was asking them to undertake in the name of God. The ones that had the belief in G-d were the ones that left as well as some of the Egyptians themselves. To be a participant of the Exodus was to abandon your entire sense of security, to leave the live of predictability, and place yourself and your future entirely into the hands of God.
They were able to travel day and night. G-d sent a pillar of fire to enable them to give them light at night and a pillar of clouds during the day to direct them.
The Israelites were prepared and armed however G-d did not want them to rely on any miracles even though only He determines who the ultimate victor is . King Solomon has said,
“the horse is prepared for the time of war, but victory belongs to G-d” (Proverbs 21:31)
The Israelites on their way out of Egypt were not given the easiest or most direct path. As they saw it G-d did not make it easy for them to travel, they encountered much adversity and fought a bitter battle with the Amalekites who saw the Jews as an easy prey. Another miracle was the defeat of the Amalekites. In fact, G-d so condemns the Amalekites that we are commanded as one of the 613 commandments in the torah to never forget the Amalekite attach:
“ remember what Amalek did to you....do not forget” (Deuteronomy 25:17)
The situation which the Israelites were presented next seemed extremely grim. Before them was the sea and behind them the Egyptians, but Hashem in all his glory says to Moshe,
'Lift your staff and stretch out you arm over the sea and divide it ... 'And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea ... And God said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand on the sea, and the water will return on the Egyptians, on their chariots and horsemen." [Exodus 14:16,21,26]
The recognition of G-d which was seen at the red sea was expressed with joy and song from the people when they arrived safely on the other side. Miriam was a prophetess which led the Jewish woman in song . It has been said that the woman, having a tremendous amount of faith in Hashem , were so sure of the redemption that when they left Egypt,they brought the cymbals and tambourines which they used to express their joy and love for Hashem.
“Sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously. Horse and driver has he hurled into the sea” (15:21)
In preparation for the receiving of the torah, the Israelites needed to recognize that G-d is able to make these amazing miracles even for their everyday needs. They needed water, complaining again to Moshe,
“what will we drink?’ and G-d took the “bitter waters and make them sweet”
The people again cried to Moshe and Moshe cried to Hashem. Hashem showed them the well of “Miriam” which followed them throughout the desert giving them a constant supply of water. They were upset that they had no food, once again
”I will provide them manna from heaven"
“ Behold, I will make bread rain down for you from heavens. The people will go out and gather it for each day. I will test them to see if they will keep My Torah or not.” (Exodus 16:4)
Portion of the Week
BESHALACH & RECIPESpage 2 By giving us manna every day except on Shabbat and allowing a double portion to fall from the heavens on the day prior to shabbot, Hashem emphasized how on the 7th day we need to restrain from doing any work. This miracle of the manna is signified today during our Shabbat meals when we cover 2 loaves of unsliced challah to commemorate the double portion rained down by G-d each Friday morning. The Jews needed to learn this in the desert, as a prerequisite for getting the torah. They ate manna for 40 years in the desert, sustaining them until they came to the borders of Israel. The people complained constantly to Moshe about the lack of water, the lack of meat, the lack of food, and even though the Jewish people had just personally witnessed many awesome miracles, many of them still wanted to return to Egypt and to the familiar and predictable position of slaves.
We are tested throughout our lives- these tests are challenges to get us to step up to the plate, G-d has given us ordinary people the ability to do extraordinary things with our lives, and sometimes what we might think is the easiest route is not always the best one. Never give up hope when you feel that you are on a low level,we all have difficult stretches in our life. This shabbos we need to tell our children and families and friends to appreciate Hashem’s gifts to us on a daily basis. Don’t waste time with self-pity, things can change in the blink of an eye and who is on the bottom today could be on the top tomorrow and vice versa. It takes work on your part and hopefully Hashem can see how much we want to change and He can assist us.There is no such thing as a life without difficulty, instead of looking at something negative which happens to you why not look at the positive side. Make your glass ½ full instead of ½ empty. Using this approach can make you a stronger and wiser person. Only through difficulties and struggle can we really appreciate the unbelievable joy and happiness which comes from an achievement. Knowing that G-d is with us we can look beyond the frustrations of the moment. Moses went through what we could consider a great deal of failure and yet he still continued his dialogue with Hashem, positive about the future and confident that the Israelites would continue the journey and belief in G-d. We need to thank G-d for all the good things that we have every day, but if we are faced with difficulties, we need also to thank g-d for giving us the strength and courage to face them.The manna from heaven which Hashem provided is a reminder to us of the blessings which we say when we eat bread
“who brings out bread from the earth”
המוציא לחם מן הארץ.
The Gemara states that Moshe Rabbeinu composed the Bircas HaMazon for the Jews to recite after eating the manna. So whether we are just eating challah or bread or thanking Hashem for the wonderful meal in which we have just partaken, 2 recipes which would be appropriate are Leah’s Fabulous Challah Recipe and a wonderful chicken and vegetable kugel recipe which I know every member of your family will love and definitely feel blessed! Remember think positively!
Shabbat Shalom!
Miriam
Leahs Challah
¼ cup yeast
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup honey
31/2 cups warm water
2 tbl. Salt
½ cup olive oil
6 egg yolks
7 cups flour
put yeast in bowl with 1 cup sugar and 1/3 cup honey add 3 ½ cups warm water and let sit for 15-20 min.or until bubbling. Add. Salt, olive oil, egg yolks and flour (about 7 cups) check consistency it should be a little sticky and in a dough shape.
Let rise for for a min. of 2 hours
Punch down- may need to add more flour to knead.
Braid into challah form. (egg wash- beat egg and add a small amount of water and brush on- can also sprinkle on sesame seeds)
Bake 350 degrees for about 20-25 min. it starts to smell delicious and you know it is ready!
Think positive good thoughts and your challah will come out great!
Herbed Chicken with wine
for someone really short on time you can use a package of dry good seasons garlic herb salad dressing or make your own.
Chicken Rub:
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon marjoram
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 ground black pepper
Add to a plastic bag with 2 cups flour and shake
Melt stick of margarine(pareve) and pour over top of chicken. Add 4 cups of red kosher wine(not sweet). Cover and bake for at least 1 hour. Remove cover and let brown. Easy and delicious!
Vegetable Kugel (pareve)
(can make into individual kugels with muffin tins for a different look)
2 carrots , 2 potatoes, 1 Tbsp parsley 2 Tbsp sugar, 3 eggs beaten,
1 zucchini ,1 onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1 cup farfel, 1 cup cold water, S&P to taste, 1/4 cup olive oil
preheat oven to 350 degrees, soak farfel in water(can use chicken broth for a stronger taste)pour off excess liquid. Saute grated vegetables in oil starting with onion until crisp. Add rest of ingredients. Fill each muffin tin 1/2 full with mixture or pour ingredients into prepared pan. Make sure to put about 1/2 teasp. oil into each tin or use spray to keep from sticking. Bake about 30 min. until brown.
Delicious and easy!
