Parsha Inspired Menus - Chayei Sarah

This week Avraham sends Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac. The Torah recounts in a high level of detail of the conversation between the two men before Eliezer sets off, the plan Eliezer makes to ensure he finds the right wife, and the interaction of Eliezer and Rebecca at the well. And then, it gives it all to us AGAIN when Eliezer explains the story to Rebecca's family. There are 15 pasukim dedicated to this repetition and, given the importance of each word in the Torah, it begs the question as to why the story is re-told. There's a rationale that Eliezer has to tell the story in detail to Laban in order to show them how God had arranged for this union, but it could have said "Eliezer told Laban of his mission and how Rebecca fulfilled his prayers," or something like that. Rashi brings a midrash to explain this repetition:

R. Acha said: The ordinary conversation of the patriarchs' servants is more pleasing to God than even the Torah (religious discourse) of their children, for the chapter of Eliezer (the account of his journey) is repeated in the Torah (i. e. it is written once as a narrative and again repeated as part of the conversation of the patriarch’s servant) whereas many important principles of the Law are derived only from slight indications given in the Text (Genesis Rabbah 60:8).

Eliezer's real-life application of faith in daily affairs, such as finding a wife for Isaac, holds profound spiritual value. It shows how deeply imbedded God's will is in his life and can be a model for how we should involve our faith and integerity in our daily affairs. To highlight this repetition and the value it brings, make Twice Baked Potatoes.

For the second #parshainspiredmenus item, I was thinking about Lavan, Rebecca's sister. He is first introduced here and will play a very big role in Jacob's story. Lavan often seems like a good person, but so much of his motivation is driven by greed or selfishness. In this week's parsha, he is kind to Eliezer, but the Torah notes that Lavan noticed the gold bands and rings Eliezer had given her before he invites Eliezer in. Is it telling us that Lavan thought Eliezer was a rich man. Or, as the Radak supposes "this is reported in order to inform us that Lavan was envious of anyone getting something he did not have, even including his sister. He was the opposite of his sister who had

displayed such generous traits. Lavan ran in order to bring these precious items into his own house." In either interpretation, Lavan is not such a good guy. And, interestingly, his name translates to white, which is the color often used as a symbol of purity. Yet, Lavan seems to be the exact opposite. But, as I saw on the Six Degrees of Kosher Bacon blog:

Whether it is Breaking Bad’s Walter White, Harvey Keitel’s character in Reservoir Dogs, or the Casino Royale Bond villain, there’s something about naming a bad guy Mr. White. You might think it is modern cynicism that gives us the insight to be skeptical of anyone claiming to be pure as snow, but evil in the guise of good is nothing new. In fact, one of the earliest antagonists in the Torah is named Lavan, literally Hebrew for White.

Perhaps the name translating to white is specifically to call our attention to the question of purity and look hard at Lavan' to determine the true character. So, I'd suggest making something white, but even more fun and apt is white on the outside and dark on the inside. To get here, make a simple chocolate cake in two circle pans, and layer it with a white icing (store bought totally works).

Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!