Parsha Inspired Menus - Tzav

I know we're getting close to Passover and about 90% of the "Menu" part of my brain is on seder and the days that follow, Shabbat is still coming and there's a parsha to inspire, so here we go!

In this week's parsha, there's a lot of talk about the sacrifices (I know I could say that for a lot of weeks!) This week, in particular, there's a lot of information about the sacrifices (the what and the how) for the Tabernacle andAaron and his sons. After consecrating the Tabernacle with a variety of sacrifices, Moshe takes elements of these - the broad tail, all the fat about the entrails, the protuberance of the liver, and the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh, then places atop these items one cake of unleavened bread, one cake of oil bread, and one wafer. Moshe places this tower of sacrificial items right in the palms of Aaron and his sons and waved it as a wave-offering before God. When reading this section, I'll say that honestly what caught my eye first was palm because it made me think of hearts of palm, so it would be a good #parshainspiredmenus item. But I dug into it a bit more to find meaning and liked this commentary from the Hertz chumash - "These parts of the different sacrifices were laid upon the priests' hands, reminding them of their trust on behalf of the people for the service of the Altar, and of their sacred obligation faithfully to discharge that trust." Perhaps there's something about the open palm - receiving, not clutching, open and giving up to God on behalf of the people. But back to hearts of palm, there's so many salads that include this item, but here's one I'd try:

After describing this elaborate sacrifical ritual that is the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priest, Moshe tells them that they should stay in the entrance of the Tent of Meeting for 7 days because they will be doing this ritual for 7 days "You shall not go outside the entrance of the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the day that your period of ordination is completed. For your ordination will require seven days." The stated reason to follow is "Everything done today, GOD has commanded to be done [seven days], to make expiation for you," meaning to make sure they are fully atoned for and pure as they begin their work making sacrifices on behalf of others. I think it also highlights the time needed to prepare for this kind of role - being a leader of religious ritual that is designed to connect people with God. Now seven days is a lot shorter than the time leaders of ritual take to prepare now (YEARS), but the idea is similar - to be ready to serve the people in this way, a person needs to immerse in the work, in the moment, and get ready to take on the enormity of the task. This is on my mind as we near this time of year as I work with synagogues doing rabbinic transition as they bring in a new rabbinic or cantorial leader, often

someone just finishing schooling. And, this year, I have a few more personal connections with soon-to-be ordained rabbis. I am so impressed with all they've done to prepare themselves for the work ahead. When I shared this interpretation and interest in the 7 days of ordination ritual as the source of my second #parshainspiredmenus option, our 15 year old immediately said 7 Layer Cake and so here we are!

Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!