In 2000 we were living in Stuyvesant Town and attended Town & Village Synagogue. I remember that one week a member of the congregation gave the drash and spoke all about the intricate construction instructions of this week's parsha. It reminded him of camping with his family and building their tent...each piece aligning just right with poles and fabric. He spoke about the care that was needed and the group effort to make sure that they had shelter for the night. It's a great way to think about this week's detailed parsha.
I was thinking about some of the materials used and design instructions and wondering why
these were chosen by God. So, this week's #parshainspiredmenus is going to focus on two of these elements. The first is the wood used for all the ritual objects that require wood - the ark, the poles, the table. All of these are made with acacia wood. From a practical standpoint, acacia trees would have been one of the only types of trees growing in the wilderness regions traveled by the Israelites. This teaches the Israelites to make the most of what they have and see bounty in what is available. In addition, acacia wood is dense and extremely strong, making it a great option for any type of wooden construction that needs to last for a long time.
Scientifically, Acacia trees are from the genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae and are commonly known as mimosa, acacia, thorntree or wattle. I didn't realize the Mimosa connection, so I dug a little deeper. When I think of Mimosa I think of the lovely brunch drink with champagne and OJ. As it turns out, Mimosa the drink is called that because its color resembles the flower of the mimosa tree. To celebrate the use of acacia and all it represents, you can make some mimosas with dinner or if you're lookign for a food I'd also suggest following the same line of thought and doing a food that's mimosa flower colored such as this Carrot Sweet Potato Soup.
The second design detail that I want to highlight are almond blossoms. Almond blossoms are a major focus on the design of the lampstand (what I think of the menorah in the tabernacle ritual objects).
You shall make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be made of hammered work; its base and its shaft, its cups, calyxes, and petals shall be of one piece.
Six branches shall issue from its sides; three branches from one side of the lampstand and three branches from the other side of the lampstand.
On one branch there shall be three cups shaped like almond-blossoms, each with calyx and petals, and on the next branch there shall be three cups shaped like almond-blossoms, each with calyx and petals; so for all six branches issuing from the lampstand.
And on the lampstand itself there shall be four cups shaped like almond-blossoms, each with calyx and petals
(Shemot 25:31-34)
Why did God highlight almond blossoms instead of another flower. Two ideas are:
1) the almond tree is the first to bloom in spring after winter and so it is a symbol of re-birth and growth
2) the hebrew for almond, shaked, is similar to the hebrew for watched, shoked, and it's a reference that God is watching over the people.
Maybe we can think of some other ideas too! To get the creative minds going, try making something that's got a lot of almond focus. I like this Almond Encrusted Baked Sheet Pan Chicken with Green Beans. I love sheet pan meals that are both the entree and a side!
Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!
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