Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set eyes on him.’ This verse from the opening of the parasha, when Judah reminds Josef that it was he who ordered Benjamin's appearance, screams to me of deviled eggs (a Shabbat favourite in our home) which look like eyes to us, or of anything carrot-- think carrot soup or carrot kugel or ring.
But the verses that strike me the most of the parasha are: וְנַפְשׁ֖וֹ קְשׁוּרָ֥ה בְנַפְשֽׁוֹ׃, his own life (Jacob's) is so bound up with his (Benjamin's). This verse underlies so much of my spiritual work-- recognizing that in life and after, our souls are, and should be, inextricably bound to one another. Food wise I have considered making bound veggie bundles or puff pastry bound asparagus or a family favourite-- the very kosher sounding pigs in blankets.
As well, who cannot think of the parasha without remembering Josef's weeping as he embraces his brothers and reveals his identity. Symbolically I plan to represent this with something circular and perhaps meringue kisses.
Two other verses that always stand out deal with the concept of food scarcity as it says: Now there was no bread in all the world. I have, as this theme has appeared over the past few parshiyot, been tempted to make a rice salad or side dish. But I am leaning towards Israeli couscous which has a history steeped in this little pasta known in Hebrew as pittim. To read about it click here
Finally, in Chapter 45, we find references to wagons which Rashi understands as to be a sign to Josef's father about the last portion of Jewish law the two had been studying before his disappearance-- that indeed Josef still remembered their holy endeavours. As such, whether as wagon wheel pasta or a homemade version of the snack food wagon wheels, it would be a cute entry into a discussion of the value of Talmud Torah-- of studying.
ENJOY! I will add pics later! Shabbat shalom! 2021 here we come!
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