Food Tourah – Behar – Bechukotai

May 20, 2025 in Food Tourah

Another double parsha this week – Behar-Bechukotai – marking the 32nd and 33rd parshiot down, only 21 more to go!

Behar introduces the concept of the sabbatical year (shemita), when every seventh year the land itself observes a Sabbath – no sowing or reaping.  After seven such cycles (49 years), the 50th year is designated and celebrated as a yovel, or Jubilee: a time when indentured servants are released and all property reverts to its original owners, reminding us that ultimately everything belongs to God. The parsha also includes laws about servitude and a strong prohibition against idolatry.

Bechukotai,the final parsha in Leviticus, outlines the blessings that come from following God’s laws – abundance, protection, and fruitful families – alongside the tochacha, the curses that will befall those that disobey. It closes with a reaffirmation of the covenant between God and the people and a section on vows and dedication.

Observing a shemita year requires planning ahead – no planting or harvesting all year!  This would seem to require some advance cooking, which got us thinking about Make Ahead Meals.  We’re especially drawn toward to Iraqi Apricot Meatballs – a 2,000 year old dish that truly stands the test of time!  Or try a Balkan Vegetable Stew (with an option to add meat), paired with mashed potatoes or rice for a hearty, sustaining meal.

Inspired by the promise of fruitful families, Jeweled Couscous incorporates a plethora of Middle Eastern dried fruit and nuts.  For dessert, satisfy your sweet tooth with Cherries Jubilee Brownies, a decadent nod to the Jubilee year!  After all, when you follow the rules and finish your dinner, blessings (and dessert) follow. And since we could all use a few more blessings, why not whip up a batch of Blessings Snack Mix, perfect for noshing all Shabbat long.

And with that, we’ve finished THREE books of the Torah – Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazek!

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

To read past installments of Food Tourah – Click Here.

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