Shabbat Shalom!.
Shabbat Shalom!.
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Shabbos Shavuos
Shabbat, May 30, 2009
5-7 Sivan, 5769
Shavuot
“Your People shall be my people, and your G-d my G-d (Ruth 1:16)
This Shavuot, Jews around the world celebrate the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai and read the Book of Ruth – the story of the world’s most famous convert to Judaism. The Book of Ruth, which is customarily read on the second day of shavuos also characterizes the important message of kindness and compassion to strangers, which serves as a reminder that we also were once strangers in the land of Egypt .
This extremely short book tells the story of a Jewish family which leaves Israel during a famine, and migrates to the Land of Moab. There, the sons of the family marry Moabite women, and, along with their father, die. The only remaining member of the family is Naomi, and when the famine ends she decides to return to Israel, accompanied by one of her two daughters-in-law, Ruth. Naomi repeatedly tells Ruth that she should not come with her, and would be better off staying in Moab with her own people. However, Ruth pledges her undying devotion to her mother-in-law, declaring: Ruth's famous statement, which the Midrash tells us is an announcement of her desire to convert to Judaism -- no matter what:
“do not urge me to leave you, or not to follow after you…
"Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." (Ruth 1:16).
Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem together during the time of the barley harvest. In order to provide food for the two women, Ruth gleans in the fields of Boaz, who shows great kindness to the two woman, , offers her protection, even though she is a Moabitess and considered less than a slave. Boaz insures that Ruth prospers in her gleaning, assuring the mitzvah of leket (allowing the poor to "glean" the stalks that fall to the ground during the harvest)and Naomi is overjoyed at his kindness. Boaz who is also a family member of Naomi, eventually marries Ruth and redeems (purchases) the land which Naomi's late husband had sold, restoring it to the family. Three generations later, the descendant of that marriage is David, destined to be the king of Israel. Ruth and her husband Boaz were King David's great-grandparents. Tradition also tells us that David died and was born on Shavuot.
The story of Ruth is one of the most inspiring and romantic stories of the bible. Among other things it shows how a persons value is measured by deeds not ancestry. It is an exceptional story of love, faith, dedication and devotion. The kindnesses shown in the Book of Ruth are kindnesses to the stranger - Naomi towards her Moabite daughter-in-law and vice versa, and the kindness of Boaz to Ruth originally a Moabite woman who worshiped idols and whose very being was the opposite of what a Jew represented. These relationships have been a model for all of humanity. Chessed is the Hebrew word for kindness. The Torah, is not just a way we should live within a Jewish society, but it also exemplifies the messages of extending kindness and compassionate behavior to others. Acts of charity and loving-kindness are central to the Torah way of life, and what better way to express this at this time of shavuos than to tell a story which depicts just that.
Another interesting note is that the Book of Ruth attests to the importance of the oral torah, which was also given to us at Mt. Sinai. The story of Boaz's bold decision to marry Ruth showed his faith in the Oral Law. The Oral Torah and the Written Torah must together as a unit . The importance of “ger tzeddek,” the "righteous convert" who with great sacrifice gives up their former life and identity to be born anew as a Jew shows how we all were converts to Judaism when we accepted the torah as a Jewish nation on the first Shavuot on Mt. Sinai.
Shavuos is a time for us to re-awaken and strengthen our relationship with Hashem by re-dedicating ourselves to the observance and study of Torah, many stay up all night and study torah and listen to discussions and seminars.
The Book of Ruth, takes place on Boaz’s ripened wheat fields and as the text itself tells us its story takes place at the time of the "cutting of the wheat".
"...until the end of the barley harvest and the wheat harvest..." (Ruth 2:23)
Today we no longer offer the first fruits of our harvest to be blessed at the temple; but we can plant and nourish positive relationships,and treat those around us with “gemilut chasadim”, acts of loving-kindness.
Shabbat Shalom,
Miriam
Since the story of Ruth takes place during the harvest of the wheat a great recipe for this time of year which is healthful and delicious is Tabouli. It is an excellent picnic food and is great either chilled or at room temperature.
Classic tabouli is made with bulgur, which is whole wheat that has been soaked, parboiled, and sun-dried. This Tabouli recipe is a healthful and delicious Mediterranean food recipe prepared with cracked wheat, mint, garlic, tomatoes, green onions, olive oil and lemon. An excellent picnic food idea, it tastes great chilled or at room temperature.
Tabouli
2cups cracked wheat (bulghur)
2 cups very hot water
1 cucumber, chopped
2 small tomatoes, chopped
1 bunch green onions, (8) sliced
1/2 cup fresh chopped mint
2 cups fresh chopped parsley
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
Dressing:
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon pepper
2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
Soak the cracked wheat in the hot water until the water is absorbed, about 30 minutes.
Drain any excess water, if necessary, and squeeze dry.
Combine the salad ingredients, including wheat, in a medium bowl.
Mix the dressing ingredients together and stir into the salad mixture.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Makes about 8 cups, 12 to 16 servings.
Shavuot is a time to showcase some delicious dairy dishes What a great time for a Blintze Souffle or try these delicious Baked Pancakes and Baked French Toast!
Blintz Souffle
12 frozen cheese blintzes
1/4 cup butter, melted
12 frozen cheese blintzes
6 eggs
1 1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
cinnamon
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C).
2. Melt butter in a 9x13 inch pan.
3. Line blintzes in one layer in the pan.
4. In a bowl, beat eggs. Add sour cream, sugar, vanilla, and orange juice.
5. Pour egg mixture over the blintzes.
6. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.
7. Bake, uncovered, for 1hr., or until golden brown on top.
Baked strawberry pancakes
2 tablespoons butter
4 eggs, separated
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pint strawberries, hulled and halved
(or quartered if they are very large)
icing sugar
Heat an oven to 425°. Place 1 tablespoon of butter
in each of two deep 9-inch pie plates. Put in oven to
melt.
Beat the egg whites until stiff. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks with the milk, flour, sugar and vanilla.
Fold the egg whites into the batter. Remove the pie plates from the oven and pour half of the batter into each. Arrange the strawberries on top.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden on top.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with icing sugar.
Baked Strawberry French toast
1 carton (8 ounces) ricotta cheese
3 tablespoons confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 slices French bread (1/2 inch thick)
2 eggs
1 cup milk
2 cups sliced fresh or frozen strawberries
Maple syrup and additional confectioner's sugar
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, sugar and vanilla. Spread
2 tablespoons on each of eight slices of bread; top with remaining
bread. In a bowl, beat eggs and milk; soak sandwiches for 1-2
minutes per side.
Cook on a greased hot griddle for 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and heated through. Serve French Toast with strawberries. Top with syrup and additional confectioner's sugar.
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Shabbat Shalom!.
Shabbat Shalom!.
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