Food Tourah: Bamidbar

May 28, 2025 in Food Tourah

Bamidbar (“In The Desert”) is the first parsha in the Book of Numbers. In it, G-d instructs Moses and Aaron to take a census of all the tribes of Israel (“all males aged twenty years and over, all who were able to bear arms” – Numbers 1:3), counting everyone except for the Levites.  Instead, the Levites are assigned responsibility for transporting the Tabernacle.  The tribes are instructed to travel through the desert in a set formation with the Levites and the Tabernacle in the center of the camp.

This parsha also introduces the concept that every firstborn male, except those from the tribe of Levi, belongs to God and must be redeemed through a ritual known as pidyon haben, which requires five shekels per child. This practice recalls the sparing of Israelite firstborn sons during the death of Egyptian firstborns. Moses and Aaron are also tasked with counting the Kohathites, a clan within the Levites charged with carrying the most sacred objects of the Tabernacle. The Levites receive detailed instructions for how these sacred items must be covered and arranged before the Kohathites may transport them.

With this parsha’s emphasis on census-taking and orderly formations, we’ve chosen a couple of recipes that highlight counting and marching. The mention of those “able to bear arms” led us to thoughts of soldiers…which oddly led us to think of ants marching in formation😂 If classic Ants on a Log doesn’t feel elevated enough to put for your Shabbat table, Fancy Pants Ants on a Log offers a fun and elegant twist for appetizers! Nodding to the counting itself,  40 Cloves of Garlic Chicken is always a crowd-pleaser, and Perfect 10 Cod is new to us – but we thought we’d give it a try!

To accompany these mains, we’re recommending sides that play on the theme of the silver coins required for the pidyon haben.  Both Air Fryer Potato Coins and coin-shaped Glazed Carrots are on theme! And for dessert, Vegan Pecan Sandies are a playful reference to the title of this week’s parsha, Bamidbar – “In the Desert.”  These deliciously “buttery” cookies are a sweet and sandy way to complete your Shabbat meal.

B’tayavon and Shabbat Shalom,
Alison (Baraf) & Sarah (Roark)

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For a more in-depth look at this week’s parsha, visit Sefaria.com