Parsha Inspired Menus - Beshalach

It's not often that I see this notation in Sefaria

and this footnote says "*armed Meaning of Heb. ḥamushim uncertain." There are certainly other words that have been translated differently, depending on the commentator or translation, but it means that this word is particularly in question. Is it armed as in with weapons? That would make sense later when they fight with Amalek. It could mean arms laden with the gifts from the Egyptians. This would also make sense later when they melt down the gifts from the Eygtians to make the golden calf. There's also a midrash that the translation isn't about being armed, but rather focuses on the root of homesh (a fifth), saying that this means that 1/5th of the Israel went out of the land of Eypgt because the other people weren't prepared to adopt a new life as God's people and they died during the plague of darkness (so the Eyptians wouldn't see that Israelits were also killed.) This idea inspired a really interesting conversation with our son about why it

would matter for the Eygptians to see the Israelites dying. We didn't come up with one clear answer, but it was interesting to think about all of these possibile interpretations of this one word. Playing off of translation of "armed" I suggest making a "warrior" food - could be asparagus or zucchini spears or kabobs on skewers.

At mincha this week, our rabbinic intern pointed out something almost shocking...he asked what we knew about Amalek and most people mentioned something about how Amalek attacked the Israelites as they left Eygpt, hitting the rear with those who were weak. Yet, what he pointed out is that in this week's parsha when the interaction with Amalek happens - there's NOTHING about being attacked from the rear. It simply says

Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Pick some troops for us, and go out and do battle with Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill, with the rod of God in my hand." Joshua did as Moses told him and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Then, whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; but whenever he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur, one on each side, supported his hands; thus his hands remained steady until the sun set. And Joshua overwhelmed the people of Amalek with the sword.

That's the whole thing. We only hear about being attacked in the rear until Dvarim. So, what's the story? This makes it sound like a battle, but not necessarily like an ambush. In discussing this

question with our son he suggested that in the heat of the battle, Moshe didn't record those first chaotic moments. In his interpretation, the Israelites are attacked, Moshe springs into action, and counterattacks. So, for the "heat" of the moment - make something spicy. How about these Spicy-Sweet Roasted Sweet Potatoes.

Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!