Parsha Inspired Menus - Naso

There's a lot of repetition in this week's parsha, but that's kind of the point. Over the course of 72 verses (the total parsha is 176, so it's a significant portion) we are given the details of each tribal leader bringing their gift to the dedication of the altar. It reads like this:

The one who presented his offering on the first day was Nahshon son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah. His offering: one silver bowl weighing 130 shekels and one silver basin of 70 shekels by the sanctuary weight, both filled with choice flour with oil mixed in, for a grain offering; one gold ladle of 10 shekels, filled with incense; one bull of the herd, one ram, and one lamb in its first year, for a burnt offering; one goat for a purgation offering; and for his sacrifice of well-being: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs. That was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.

The same language, the same donations, are listed for all 12 of the tribes. The only change is the name of the person giving. There is an important lesson in the uniformity. There is no favoritism,

everyone had an equal share and representation in the dedication, even if one had more to give, but limiting to the same amount there's no "one-up-manship" or shame that can be associated with this sacred moment. To highlight this uniformity, I am going to make a dish that comes in 12 uniform (or as close to uniform as possible with baking) units - this Molten Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookiesare made in muffin tins so you'll have 12 individual desserts for the 12 tribes. (Guess it's Shabbat dinner for 12 then!)

For the second dish, I was interested in the actual items that were donated. The Stone Chumash has a symbolic reason assigned to each item. For example, the silver basin worth 70 shekel represents the 70 nations that descended from Noah. Since this Shabbat is also Shavuot, this particular representation caught my attention - The ladle, "which is similar to a hand, symbolizes the Torah that was given from the hand of God, and its weight of 10 shekels represents the 10 commandments." It seems fitting to do something from the parsha that references the Torah and giving of the Ten Commandments ON THE HOLIDAY THAT CELEBRATES GIVING THE TORAH. Since the ladle is filled with incense, I thought it would be

cool to make something that pulls this all together, so I am going to make this Ten Commandments Shaped Herbed Puff Pastry dish:

Ingredients

• 1 box puff pastry (thawed)

• 1 egg (beaten)

• 4oz cream cheese

• 1/2c feta or goat cheese

• 1/2 tbsp dill

• 1 tsp tarragon

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Za'atar (for topping)

Instructions

1. Mix: In a bowl, blend the cream cheese, feta, herbs, and garlic powder.

2. Shape: Unroll the puff pastry sheet and cut it into rectangles about 3x5 inches. To make the "Ten Commandments" tablets, use a knife or cookie cutters to trim the top edges into soft, rounded arches (luchot).

3. Assemble: Place half of the dough shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Spoon about a tablespoon of the cheese mixture into the center of each.

4. Top & Seal: Place the second set of dough tablets on top. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal the filling inside.

5. Wash & Bake: Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with za'atar. Bake at 375F for 20–25 minutes until golden and puffed.

Shabbat Shalom, Chag Sameach, & B'Tayavon!