Shabbat Shalom!.
Shabbat Shalom!.
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Shabbat Shalom!.
Lech Lecha
We are told that Avraham was tested ten times during his lifetime and passed every test, the first test is in the beginning of this weeks parsha.
"Go for yourself, from your relatives, and from your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation; I will bless you, and make your name great, and you shall be a blessing" (Genesis 12: 1-2).
This story, one of the most famous in our Torah, highlights a pattern that many of us experience as we try to navigate our path in life. This test that Abraham went through is the test of our times as well. The term
“ lech lecha ” – means go forth or go for yourself. Rashi explains that G-d is telling Abraham to go, not just because I am telling (commanding ) you to do this, but go because it is for your benefit.
“Lech lecha" encourages us to move beyond our comfort zones, to push boundaries, to explore uncharted territory. This charge applies not only to Avram, but to many of us as well. There are times when we feel that we need to make a change in our life, we may feel that we need to do something to change the direction we are headed, something to give us a deeper sense of meaning in our journey through life. Perhaps moving from our homes to a more religious environment so our children can grow up surrounded with Judaism, or just adding shabbos dinner to the week as a way of being together with your family. This change not only affects us but it also permeates to those people we are surrounded by.
Abraham is referred to in this week's Parsha (14:13) as "Ha-Ivri" (literally, "The Hebrew"), our sages teach us that the word "Ivri" is a reference to a word which means "to cross over;" in other words Abraham is "The one who Crossed Over." This is the essence of what it means to be a Jew.
Literally, Abraham did come from the other side of the Euphrates River, however, the Talmudic rabbis interpret it much differently. Abraham was on one side of a moral and spiritual divide. The rest of the known world during this time was on the other side, they were idol worshipers as Abrams father was. As the first monotheist Abraham at 75-years old was asked to start his life over again by leaving his homeland. Certainly, this was a difficult thing to do, but Abraham's success depended on his ability to allow others to share in this revolutionary concept of belief in one G-d.
Abraham was ready to endure isolation, to stand up for what he felt was morally correct. It is pleasant to be popular and win the approval of others, but many of us too often bend our own principles to avoid making waves. Being a Jew frequently demands that we accept the challenge of “being on the other side”. Keeping Shabbat, keeping the jewish holidays, keeping kosher, are all challenges which we are asked to accept. Our success or failure sometimes is subject to the bending of our principles. G-d entered into this covenant, an agreement, with Abraham, with the promise that Abraham’s children would one day become a great nation that would inherit the land of Israel. In return, Abraham promised to be faithful to his belief in One G-d and to perform the ceremony of Brit Milah (circumcision) as a sign of the covenant. Abraham and Sarah, were given the challenge to be Ivri, to be different and we must understand that being a Jew is the belief that we accept this covenant. We are the promised Jewish nation, may we continue to face the challenges of our
commitment and belief, thereby maximizing our own potential as well as enriching all other
people in our lives.
Shabbat Shalom,
Miriam
One of my favorite things about the Fall is the abundance of root vegetables that are available. Right now you can find beets, turnips, parsnips, all are fresh and fantastic. I use cheese alternative which you can buy at your local health food store which is lactose and cholesterol free this way you can serve this as a side dish with a meat meal. It is also great without the cheese.
Root Vegetables with herbed –cheese crust
3 lbs. assorted root vegetables(parsnips, beets, potatoes,
sweet potatoes, turnips carrots) cut into cubes.
4 tbl.olive oil
1 tbl. thyme
1 1/2 teasp. kosher salt
black pepper to taste
7 tbl. margarine
2 leeks
2 pounds mushrooms ( I like to mix the varieties)
3 tabl. flour
4 cups stock(chicken, mushroom or vegetable )
preheat oven to 400 degrees toss the root vegetables with 2 tbl. olive oil,thyme, salt and pepper to taste. Roast for about 45minutes to 1 hour until vegetables are soft and crispy. Remove vegetables and raise heat to 425 degrees. While the root vegetables are cooking, saute over med-high heat 2 tbl. margarine with leeks and add mushrooms along with additional olive oil. Add additional salt and pepper to taste, reduce heat to medium and addthe remaining margarine, flour and stock, cook until flour is absorbed and gravy thickens.
Pour over root vegetables and sprinkle bread crumbs and cheese over top. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes in oven.
Lets try something different for shabbos lunch, instead of the usual chicken cutlets how about chicken lollipops! If you don't want the extra work use same recipe with chicken wing drumettes, just use store bought duck sauce and add additional ingredients.
Chicken Lollipops with dipping sauce
12 whole chicken tenders soak in soy sauce
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
2 eggs lightly beaten
Salt and pepper to taste
3 tbsp vegetable oil
24 Short bamboo sticks
Peach Ginger Dipping Sauce
1 1/4 cups good quality peach jam
2 tsp ginger, chopped finely
2 tsp fresh jalapeno, finely diced with seeds removed
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (110 degrees C).
Cut chicken tenders into halves widthwise making 24 pieces.
Place flour, breadcrumbs, and eggs into individual bowls. Whisk the eggs until slightly frothy.
Add parmesan cheese to the bowl of Panko breadcrumbs and mix lightly until evenly distributed.
Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper to taste.
Coat the chicken pieces in the following order, first dip the chicken piece into flour and shake off the excess, then dip into the egg mixture to coat, finally dip the chicken into the Panko coating well and making sure to shake off the excess. Place onto a parchment lined tray and repeat with remaining chicken.
Place a large skillet over medium high heat. Add vegetable oil to the warmed skillet and allow to heat through without smoking.
Place 4-5 chicken pieces in the skillet and allow them to cook - without touching, until a golden brown crust forms, approximately 1 minute. Flip and continue to cook other side to achieve the same result.
Remove chicken and place on a paper towel lined tray. Place tray into the preheated oven to keep warm and continue to cook the remainder of the chicken.
Repeat the same process until all the chicken pieces are cooked.
To serve, place one piece of chicken on each bamboo stick.
Serve with peach ginger dipping sauce. (see recipe)
Peach Ginger Dipping Sauce
Place all ingredients into a small sauce pan and place over low heat.
Cook for approximately 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
Serve warm with chicken lollipops.
Shabbat Shalom!.
