Parsha Inspired Menus - Vayechi

As Jacob's life nears its end, he takes the opportunity to dole out blessings to his descendents. The story of the blessings begins with Joseph hearing that his father is not well and coming to see him. The Torah says "When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to see you,” Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed." Jacob then proceeds to tell Joseph that Jacob will include Ephraim and Menashe, Joseph's sons, as if they are Jacob's sons. Jacob then notices Joseph's sons and asks a surprising question. He says to Joseph "Who are these?” One would have thought and hoped that Jacob would know his own grandchildren, especially those of his favorite son who he is including in his direct inheritance. So, why the question? Sforno and Chizkuni simply say that Jacob does not recognize them, Chizkuni points out that 2 pasukim later the Torah tells us that Jacob's "eyes were dim with age."

This could also explain why, when Jacob does go to give Ephraim and Menashe the blessing, he has his right hand on Ephraim and left hand on Menashe. Seeing this mix-up of age order and blessing order, Joseph goes to kindly assist his father and put his right hand on Menashe, assuming it's done as a mistake, but Jacob answers, saying “I know, my son, I know. He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great. Yet his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall be plentiful enough for nations.” This criss-cross and LACK of repercussions will reverberate throughout history as it's the first pair of brothers whose stories we hear in detail that do not fight over the birthright. It is one of the reasons we use their names in the traditional Friday night

blessing for boys. To immortalize this criss cross in food, try out this viral Thomas Keller Criss-Cross Roasted Zucchini recipe. It can be made in many ways, but I am going to try this miso variation.

For the second dish, which will actually be the first thing served, I was interested in the very positive blessing for Judah. He gets 5 pasukim, the same number as Joseph, the beloved son, and they are full of power and abundance.

You, O Judah, your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the nape of your foes; Your father’s sons shall bow low to you.

Judah is a lion’s whelp; On prey, my son, have you grown. He crouches, lies down like a lion, Like a lioness —who dare rouse him?

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet; So that tribute shall come to him and the homage of peoples be his.

He tethers his ass to a vine, His ass’s foal to a choice vine; He washes his garment in wine, His robe in blood of grapes.

His eyes are darker than wine; His teeth are whiter than milk

A more direct translation of the Hebrew of this last line could be read as "His eyes are dark from wine, / And his teeth are white from milk.” As Rashi explains...because of abundance of milk, for there will be in his land good pasture for herds of flock. The verse is therefore to be explained as

follows: There will be redness of eyes because of abundance of wine and there will be whiteness of teeth because of abundance of milk."

Though I can't make anything with actual cow milk becuase I'm doing a meat meal, I can make a white soup that gives the vibe of milk - Creamy White Bean Soup.

Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!