Parsha Inspired Menus - Ki Teitzei

At our mincha discussion this week, we spent time talking about a piece of Torah text that deals with the reality vs. the ideal and it's kind of helpful and kind of problematic. The Torah gives instructions about what to do when you are attacking another people, you win, you take captives, and you find one of them attractive. There are some protections put in for that attractive woman, though they are not up to modern standards of human dignity so it feel problematic. As our rabbi said, we still study it and learn from it. One interesting thing I learned from it during this year's

reading is Ibn Ezra's take on a particular part of the instructions, "She shall spend a month’s time in your household lamenting her father and mother;" Ibn Ezra explains that he believes " that reason teaches us that every person is obligated to honor his father and his mother while they live and also after their deaths."

While this is not the pshat (simple) meaning of the text, using this context to extend honor to parents even in death was interesting to me. So, in that vein, I wanted to suggest making something that is an honor to your parents - maybe it's a favorite dish or something unique to their homeland/upbringing. This may be particularly on my mind as I look forward to an upcoming family simcha, knowing that there are some important people who we wish were able to attend, but have passed away.

As we read on, our son pointed out to me how often there are protections put in place for those who are more vunerable in society - the captured woman, one who has lost a valuable object (like a sheep), one who leaves their belongings with others in hopes of it being taken care of, the orphan, the stranger, and the widow. This is one of the themes playing through Ki Teitzei - differnt ways that God legislates to take care of the vunerable. In honor of this care and how these individuals and group deserve special attention to make sure they are protected, I thought it would be fitting to make something vunerable or fragile, which made me think of souffle! I thought this Mushroom Souffle side dish looks good (and is pareve.)

Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!