Food For Thought

With the 9 days upon us and an influx of promotional dairy delights, I've been thinking a lot about food lately. (Oh don't look at me like that, as if you aren't)

Food is a euphemism for higher components. Think about it, would a fast be over without a thick slice of Kokesh? Am I truly a year older sans birthday cake? And does the dawn dare break before I've had some jolting java? Food represents the nature of life, and it is one of our greatest gifts, of course, everything in moderation, including moderation ;) I'm talking to you, chocolate soufflé.

You can tell a lot about a person by their dress, and their food preferences is a giveaway as well.

Brown paper bagged lunches or a big indulgent salad that is delivered through Uber Eats?

Coffee from the Keurig (in my book this is still on the fancy spectrum), or only from the little shop four blocks down that is always full, but that ambiance though.

Chewing gum on the street? Oh, so she's that kind of gal; and let's not even get started on what "the other side" serves for a) the date b) the lechaim c) the first Shabbos engaged d) the first Shabbos when no longer trying to "impress an impression" ("what do you want we’re poshiter ppl" :)

Food can speak as well, ever said

"I'm sorry" with breakfast in bed? Or a chocolate bar that conveys, "I know I messed up."
Nosh from your trip to Israel, "I missed you/how cool are these gummies!"
And a harried host telling an early guest "I'm frazzled Erev Shabbos, but here is some warmth to compensate for my current lack thereof" with a plate of steaming overnight potato kugel.

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. If I had a cookie for every friend who "baked her new chosson cookies" because she always bakes cookies (umm since when do you bake?) I'd be quite the chub.

As Jews, we understand how symbolic food is. Apples and honey, special maachalim lekavod Yom Tov, greasy donuts, hamantaschen and ad de lo yudah liquor, gluten-free gebrokts/non-gebrokts, cheesecake, dried fruits, and the cycle continues.

It's also not just the food, but some variations signify your family's heritage. I think the best Shabbos meal would be an eclectic conglomerate that encompasses all of our backgrounds. Heimishe challah, Israeli dips, Moroccan fish, Syrian Kibbeh, American style meat and potatoes, Yerushalmi kugel, and homemade dessert (dessert doesn't have to have of origin descent, sweets are universally delicious :)

Sometimes food can represent a situation as tempered as the soup itself. “Pass the salt” when you really mean, this food is bland and I've had a long week.

“Let me mix the salad” because there's so much, that is being left unsaid.

I’ll go out and buy some watermelon (or any unneeded accoutrement) because there's ANYWHERE you’d rather be other than here.

Brands have infiltrated the cycle as well. Mazel Tov! And a famed Siegelman's cake is present. When a gift is needed to a “special corporate client” insert {Oh nuts, Lilac & Crème here} and those camp packages because otherwise how will they know they are missed? I’ll list the rest when I have a retainer.

The Torah doesn't waste a single word; for fear of misinformation I won’t say how many times food is referenced in the Torah, whether it's lentil soup, manna, milk, matzah, bread or honey, and we won't even touch upon the comprehensive listing of Maachalos Assuros. What I think is fascinating is again, that food signifies something greater; everything has a zmano, at the right time. There’s a time to wash and eat meat, and a time frame in which to bentch. Now the milk is kosher, 3-6 hours ago this wasn't kosher for you. Today we feast tomorrow we fast; food is symbolic of a greater chain.

During the 9 days we are prohibited from consuming meat and wine, why? Because both meat and wine are associated with joy. While it’s not paramount to base the feelings we are supposed to have during the 9 days around food…it’s okay to acknowledge that yes, food does play a significant factor in contributing to our happiness; even though I’d hardly call blintzes, pasta and sweet desserts a far runner up.

The Talmud in Pesachim (109a) bases this conclusion upon two verses: “You shall sacrifice peace-offerings and eat them there, and you will be joyful before the Hashem your God” (Deut. 27:7) and “Wine will rejoice the heart of man” (Psalms 104:15). While the Sages did generally prohibit wine and meat at this time, they did not include a meal celebrating a mitzvah, such as a bris, a pidyon haben, a siyum and a Shabbos meal.

The funny thing is that all this talk about sweet cheese blintzes, creamy fettuccine and rich cheesecake; makes me really crave a burger, and I guess that’s the point J