Parsha Inspired Menus - Tetzaveh

In the early years of having my own apartment and kitchen I used to get Cooks Illustrated. We loved hearing the mystery style articles of how the chefs came up with the best version of a beef stew, or chocolate chip cookies, or roasted green beans. We loved the kitchen hacks shared by readers. And we loved the sketchings and descriptions of foods done without color photos. I recently saw a Cooks Illustrated magazine in the "impulse" section of the supermarket and, well, acted on impulse and bought it. I still loved it, but there were now color photos and I realized, somewhat sadly, that made me use my imagination less. This came to mind when reading the

detailed description of the kohanic (priestly) garments in this week's Torah portion. There's a lot of very specific details.

I wanted to focus this week's parsha inspired menu on two garments described. The first is ephod, which has many parts to it, but I am interested this week in the front which is described as "It shall be square and doubled, a span in length and a span in width. Set in it mounted stones, in four rows of stones. The first row shall be a row of carnelian, chrysolite, and emerald; the second row: a turquoise, a sapphire, and an amethyst; the third row: a jacinth, an agate, and a crystal;

and the fourth row: a beryl, a lapis lazuli, and a jasper. They shall be framed with gold in their mountings. The stones shall correspond [in number] to the names of the sons of Israel: twelve, corresponding to their names. They shall be engraved like seals, each with its name, for the twelve tribes." I find it interesting that the high priest is carrying a stone for each tribe. Maybe it’s  a physical reminder of his position as a leader for the whole people - his sacrifices and actions are to help all of Israel. Often leaders get caught up in their position and forget the reason, the people, whom they are supposed to be helping. To honor the ephod, this symbol of leadership of a nation, I'd made my mother's plum cake (a fave of mine), but also sub in a few different fruits to have a variety of colors, more like the jewels.

The Torah continues with more and more descriptions of garments and a line caught my attention when I read the parsha this time. Regarding the robe, it says:

וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ עַל־שׁוּלָ֗יו רִמֹּנֵי֙ תְּכֵ֤לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן֙ וְתוֹלַ֣עַת שָׁנִ֔י עַל־שׁוּלָ֖יו סָבִ֑יב וּפַעֲמֹנֵ֥י זָהָ֛ב בְּתוֹכָ֖ם סָבִֽיב׃

On its hem make pomegranates of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, all around the hem, with bells of gold between them all around:

פַּעֲמֹ֤ן זָהָב֙ וְרִמּ֔וֹן פַּֽעֲמֹ֥ן זָהָ֖ב וְרִמּ֑וֹן עַל־שׁוּלֵ֥י הַמְּעִ֖יל סָבִֽיב׃

a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around the hem of the robe.

וְהָיָ֥ה עַֽל־אַהֲרֹ֖ן לְשָׁרֵ֑ת וְנִשְׁמַ֣ע ק֠וֹל֠וֹ בְּבֹא֨וֹ אֶל־הַקֹּ֜דֶשׁ לִפְנֵ֧י יְהֹוָ֛ה וּבְצֵאת֖וֹ וְלֹ֥א יָמֽוּת׃ {ס}        

Aaron shall wear it while officiating, so that the sound of it is heard when he comes into the sanctuary before GOD and when he goes out—that he may not die.

Why does Aaron need bells when he goes in and out of the sanctuary and how does it prevent him from DYING?!?! God would know if he is coming in whether he wore bells or not. So, what is the purpose of the audible sound? Rabbenu Bachya gives two explanations. One is that the "reason why the High Priest “gave notice” in this manner of his intention to enter the Sanctuary was to ensure that none of the angels would at that time interfere with his prayer, i.e. interpose themselves between him and G’d. Had he entered unannounced this could have happened. He himself might even have been harmed by the angels who were unaware of his intentions." This makes more sense to me than having to alert God of his presence, but for this week (just before Purim), I like this explanation even better:

This little verse is a lesson in manners. When a person wishes to receive an audience he first knocks on the door of the king or prefect from whom he requests the audience. Aaron (the High Priest) would announce his intention to pray by means of the chiming of the bells at the hem of his robe. What is customary as a sign of deference to a mortal king must also be observed when one petitions the King of Kings. When one arrives unannounced in a mortal king’s palace, enters without preamble, one incurs the death penalty. Similarly, when the High Priest enters G’d’s Sanctuary it behooves him to give notice of his intention to enter. The matter is best illustrated in Esther 4,11 from where we know that King Ahasverush looked with great suspicion on anyone who came unannounced, and, generally speaking, he had such persons executed as he thought they were bent on harming him. Even though G’d, of course, is fully aware of the intentions of the “intruder,” the same rules of etiquette apply in the Sanctuary.

So, what does this teach us? I believe it teaches us that we all need to be thoughtful and respectful when we enter the sanctuary of God for an audience with the "King of Kings." Most of us won't walk in with literal bells on, but is there a more metaphoric way we can be thoughtful as we approach an audience with God (also now known as prayer?) So, for this Shabbat, let's do Shabbat dinner with "bells on." Here's a recipe for Balsamic Roasted Mini Bell Peppers to try - colorful, tasty, and very bell-y.

Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!