Ki Tisa has some very obvious themes, including the forgiveness for the sin of the golden calf, but I’m am choosing to go in another direction for this weeks book selection. On the heels of cookbook week, I feel it is appropriate to note that amidst the building of the temple sinks, the sin of the golden calf, and Moses literally seeing God, there are several lines about Shabbat observance in Ki Tisa. Nestled among these flashier counterparts, the sentences admonishing the Jewish people to keep the Sabbath, could be easily overlooked. That would be a mistake. They are foundational to so much of Judaism and they pair wonderfully with the cookbook Shabbat by Adeena Sussman.
Shabbat observance takes different forms in different branches of Judaism, but it is a central tenet in all forms of religious Judaism, and even a cultural touchstone for many Jews who otherwise do not participate in religious observance. It is frequently mentioned by Jews of Choice as catalyst towards their conversion and by historians as a reason for the endurance of Jewish people.
In Shabbat, Sussman brings foods from different geographic regions of Judaism in easy to follow recipes. She also includes recipes running the full gamut from traditional Ashkenazi cholent, to “modern” dairy meals. The photos are stunning and the whole vibe is peaceful and warm – just like shabbat!
Shabbat is called the sign of the covenant between Jews and God, and my favorite way to celebrate it is with food. Pull up a plate and enjoy.