Shabbat Shalom!.
Tetzaveh
Exodus 27:20-30:10
Torah Reading for Week of February 21-27, 2010
Adar 7-13 5770
“And you will Command(tetzaveh) the
Children of Israel, that they should take
clear olive oil that was crushed to give
off light and to kindle the lamp continuously.”
(Shemos 27:20)
This week’s parsha, Tetzaveh, deals primarily with the garments of the Kohanim. The clothing worn by Aaron and his sons as they served as priests in the sanctuary. The making of these priestly garments, the breastplate, an Ephod, a robe, a checkered tunic, a turban, a sash, a forehead-plate, and linen trousers are all described in great detail. These outfits were quite beautiful with their ultimate purpose that the priests stand out from the rest of the Jewish nation. Their dignified manner and regal appearance demanded respect from the people of Israel as well as a constant reminder to themselves of their mission. Their job was to be as effective as possible in carrying out the word of G-d.
“Make sacral vestments for your brother Aaron, for dignity and adornment.”
These special clothes made the Kohen feel special when performing the holy service. The sense of awe that one felt when in their presence reminded them that they were doing God's service. The clothing and the environment were conducive to an awareness of G-d.
It is basic human psychology that when we put on special clothes, we actually feel like different people. It is well documented that we are influenced by our dress and surroundings to a greater degree than we are aware. Especially the use of color can actually make an immediate impact on our response. The message we send to ourselves and others by how we choose to dress is a message that is clearly evident in this weeks parsha.In exhaustive detail, the Torah spells out the garments of the Cohanim
"....the materials used to make these garments, namely gold, sky-blue, purple and crimson, are precious and rare."
So,What might seem as unimportant, the clothes we wear and the environments that we surround ourselves are important influences on our behavior and development.
This weeks parsha also includes Moshe's command to the Jewish People to supply pure olive oil for the Menorah in the Mishkan. Olives and olive oil play important parts in Judaism. The symbolism of olive oil being the spiritual as well as the physical fuel for Judaism is commented on throughout the Torah. A great deal of emphasis is placed on how the oil for the Menorah had to be prepared. The olives had to be pressed gently, one olive at a time, until it yielded its oil. To be pure the first pressed oil of the olives were to be used. The olives could not be crushed, because this would leave in it particles of olive and sediment. So to, history has shown that the Jewish nation cannot be crushed, and we have been compared to “A leafy olive …”(Jer. 11,16) The tedious process involved in production of this pure oil has been paralleled to the history of the jewish people. In Bereishis when the dove returns to Noah's Ark with an olive branch, it showed a sign of hope and life "The olive brought light to the world." We have the potential as Jews to bring light and strength to a world where sometimes there is darkness and despair. We have been given a memorable charge to be a “light unto the nations”( ohr la'goyim), and just as the oil of the olive yields a light that is pure, so to Jews with the guidance of our torah, are able to illuminate a pure light of holiness. The idea of the keeping this holiness burning at all times (signifying permanence), has developed into a prominent feature of our synagogues the “ner tamid” (eternal light).
Shabbat Shalom,
Miriam
Olive oil has been a staple for thousands of years, not only for cooking, but also as moisturizers, hair softeners, makeup remover, lubricants ,and just recently has been getting the acclaim it truly deserves. Olive oil is the healthiest oil you can buy, as it contains the highest monounsaturated content. These fats are rich in antioxidants and can actually help increase HDL levels and decrease LDL levels. For dressings use Extra-virgin olive oil. Extra-virgin is the oil that results from the first cold pressing of the olives. This was the purest oil used for the lighting of the candelabra in the mishkan. Always choose cold-pressed for salad dressing or drizzling, but being the purest olive oil, it's also the most expensive.,therefore it should not be used for cooking. For Sauteing or cooking use Virgin olive oil: This is also Light olive oil: "Light" refers to the oil's color and taste, not its calorie content, but it has the same amount of beneficial monounsaturated fat as regular olive oil has. Because of an extremely fine filtration process, it has little of the olive oil taste and fragrance and a higher smoke point, making it a good choice for baking and high-heat cooking. As far as storing olive oil, it should kept in a dark pantry or closet, and once it has been opened it has a shelf life of about 3 months.
Imagine the smells that permeated the Jewish camp on a daily basis. It is also interesting that our sense of smell evokes memories in a way that no other sense can. How many of us can remember running in from school and smelling chicken soup cooking on the stove in preparation for shabbos, or the smell of fresh baked challah, the scent of fresh flowers on the Shabbat table? So whether you are an observant jew, a newly converted jew, or a secular jew, remember the importance of the environment you create in your homes. The recipes that we use on a weekly basis can be triggers to the memories and the traditions that we hold most dear to our hearts. The Talmud calls the pleasure of smell one that benefits the soul This is what we want to pass down to our children .This is what has sustained us. Shabbat shalom
A Chicken dish fit for a King!
Kohanim Chicken
6 Tablespoons best quality virgin olive oil
Quartered chicken
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup finely chopped sweet onions
2 carrots peeled and diced
5 garlic cloves peeled and chopped
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup white wine
½ cup orange juice
½ cup diced can tomatoes( I use with olive oil, and garlic)
1 tbl. Dried rosemary
½ medium size red pepper and ½ medium size yellow pepper
both sliced and julienne
½ cup sliced black olives
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
½ zucchini sliced diagonally
1/3 cup parsley chopped for garnish
Heat 3 tabl. of the olive oil in large skillet over low heat. Dry chicken and season with salt and pepper add to the skillet and saute for 10 minutes on each side until golden -season with salt and pepper again after turning. Remove chicken and reserve.
Add carrots, onions and garlic to pan with the chicken drippings and olive oil add another tabl. Olive oil and cook covered over low heat until the vegetables are tender about ½ hour.
Uncover vegetables and add orange juice, wine and chicken broth, tomatoes and rosemary season again with salt and pepper, simmer the mixture uncovered for about 20 minutes.
Return chicken to the pan and simmer until the chicken is done, basting the chicken with the sauce every 20 minutes (takes about 40 minutes until chicken is thoroughly cooked)
In a separate pan saute in the remaining 3 tabl. Olive oil mushrooms, peppers, zucchini for about 5 minutes, add olives and continue another 3 minutes, transfer all vegetables to skillet with chicken and simmer together for another 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.
Tetzavah, falls out at the same time of year as the Jewish holiday of Purim. And Purim is also about clothing, the costumes we wear and the masks we use cover our true selves.
Purim is on February 28,2010 this year, and one of the commandments we have on Purim is that of "Mishloach Manos." We are required to send two items of food to someone, we celebrate and praise Hashem using food and drink. This sort of celebration is not merely recommended; it is obligatory.
Hamentashen
These hamentashen are easy and delicious! Happy Purim!
Ingredients for dough
3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1stick) margarine
2 eggs
¼ to ½ cup orange juice
Instructions:
1. Put half of the dry ingredients in the bowl of
a food processor. Pulse on and off to mix thoroughly.
2. Add 1 stick margarine (cut up) and process until
the consistency of oatmeal.
3. Add 1 egg and quickly process until blended.
4. With cover on, add small amount of orange juice through food tube; process until it forms a mass. (Juice should be added slowly.)
5. Turn out on the floured surface; form into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap. Chill thoroughly or freeze until ready to use.
6. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Be creative with your fillings, but you can always use store bought jams
1. Roll out a quarter of the dough about 1/8th inch thick on a well-floured surface. Cut out circles using round drinking glasses.
2. Once you have the circles cut, place a dollop of filling in the middle of the dough- refrain from
overstuffing.
3. Lift/fold up three sides of the dough circle and pinch the three corners so that you create a triangle with the filling secure in the center. Make sure that the corners are stuck together tightly.
4. Place filled triangle cookies on a greased cookie sheet.
5. Bake hamantaschen in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 18 minutes, or until cookies turn golden-brown and are firm to the touch.
Repeat with rest of dough
Jewish tradition teaches that on Purim we should become sufficiently inebriated so that we cannot differentiate between “Blessed is Mordecai” and “Cursed is Haman.” This drink is famous for its olives-
Martini-standard
11/2 oz. gin or vodka
1/2 oz. dry vermouth
to make on the rocks, fill a glass with ice and add the vermouth
and gin or vodka. stir gently and garnish with
an olive(s)!
Do you take Vitamins?
Newly Patented-Nanotechnology
multivitamin,minerals,herbs 95% absorption in 1oz liquid www.livethesource.com/meryl
Miss your friends or family in Israel?
Send Fresh Baked Gili’s Goodies
Shaloch Manos, Birthdays…Anytime
Shabbat Shalom!.
