Parsha Inspired Menus - Re'eh

The very first word of our parsha caught my attention this week.

רְאֵ֗ה אָנֹכִ֛י נֹתֵ֥ן לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם בְּרָכָ֖ה וּקְלָלָֽה׃

See, this day I set before you blessing and curse:

"See." In the simplest of terms, what are the Israelites seeing? We may know that this is a reminder to pay attention, but what can we learn from the use of the word related to vision? Rabbi Shefa

Gold points out "Only when our vision is no longer obscured by false beliefs, fear, or the illusion of separateness, can we experience the freedom to choose the Blessing that is being offered to us. We are commanded first to SEE, because without that clear vision, it may not be possible to discern blessing from curse....The vantage point of Deuteronomy allows us to see where we have been — “the long strange trip it’s been,”* — and the doors of possibility that open before us in response to our “seeing.” In this way she highlights how important it is to have clear vision to really understand the underlying nature of what is a blessing and what is a curse. Upon later reflection, we can look back and see where we and our ancestors made good choices or poor ones. To help us "see" this Shabbat, let's make a dish with Black-Eye Peas...try this Black-Eye Pea Summer Salad for something on theme and just right for the end of summer.

Later on in the parsha, Moshe shares examples of the blessings that the Israelites can look forward to if they do follow God's commandments.

If, then, you obey the commandments that I enjoin upon you this day, loving your God יהוה and serving [God] with all your heart and soul,

I will grant the rain for your land in season, the early rain and the late. You shall gather in your new grain and wine and oil—

So, since the blessing actually mentions 3 foods, I wanted to see if I could find one recipe to combine all 3. There's actually a lot of salads that do this with grains, olive oil, and wine vinagrette, but I also found these Olive Oil and Wine Cookies and I thought that was a cool option.

Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!