Parsha Inspired Menus - Lech Lecha

After many years of weekly Shabbat attendance and Torah study, there are still things I read in the Torah that I realize are deeply ingrained in my mind with some midrashic elements that were taught to me as a child. One example of those happens right at the beginning of our Parsha. The Torah text about the first encounter of God and Avram is short and to the point. God speaks to Avram, tells him that he should go forth and "וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ אַבְרָ֗ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה...Avram went forth as יהוה had commanded him." There's no written conversation between Avram and God, no story of destorying his father's idols, no questioning, no affirming...Avram just goes. A few verses later we get more details of how and where Avram goes, but not his mindset on being spoken to by God and being promised to be a great nation.

When I read it for this week, I was struck by the succinct description of this momentous occasions. The Or HaChaim builds out the importance of this moment, the special nature of it, by noting "The Torah wants to show Abraham's love for G'd. He set out immediately without waiting

for G'd to elaborate on His original instructions. The letter כ at the beginning of the word כאשר, describes the time, i.e. how Abraham acted immediately G'd finished speaking to him, how he left his father and his birthplace without further ado." To the Or HaChaim, perhaps it's specifically the speed and succinct nature of the interaction that's special - Avram doesn't question, doesnt deliberate...he just goes. In honor of that quick decision, I'm recommending making something that's super quick to make. Try this Blistered Balsamic Peppers (I particularly like the option of turning it into a salad.)

Towards the end of the parsha, Lot has been captured during a war between kings in the region. When Avram hears about Lot's capture, he gathers his men, chases down and defeats the armies of the kings who took Lot. On the way back to his home, he is greeted by King Melchizedek of Salem, who brought out bread and wine and then blessed Avram. I like the synergy of two different blessings of Avram being somewhat bookends of the parsha. Since King Melchizedek

brought out bread and wine, I think this Tuscan Ribollita Soup, which uses both these ingredients is a good fall Lech Lecha recipe (you can make it without the parmesan cheese to keep it parve, though we are doing dairy this Shabbat so we can eat just a little bit of the candy we give out.)

Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!