Home > News > Food Tourah – Re’eh
August 20, 2025 in Food Tourah
Because life so often happens around food, we’re spending the year exploring the weekly parshiot and finding connections to each week’s Shabbat menu. This week we have the Torah’s 47th parsha, 7 more to go!
Re’eh (“See”) opens with a reminder that our actions have consequences. If the Israelites obey the commandments, they will be blessed, and if they do not they will be cursed. The parsha then proceeds to outline a number of familiar actions for the Israelites to follow or refrain from.
Upon entering the land, the Israelites should never be enticed into idolatrous practices. If anyone, whether a “dream diviner” or a close relative tries to suggest that one should worship idols, that person should be stoned to death.
The Israelites should destroy sites where other gods have been worshipped and worship God only in “the site chosen by God”. Jerusalem is not mentioned by name in the Torah. But the idea that there is one central chosen place where one should make sacrifices and bring tithes and offerings of the first of the fruits and herds is reiterated frequently in this portion and others.
In Re’eh, we find the third reminder not to boil a baby goat in its mother’s milk. We are commanded to eat only kosher meat – animals that have split hooves and chew cud with blood removed. Also there is confirmation of which fish are allowed and which birds are prohibited.
Every seventh year, during the shmitah year, we should free indentured servants and release fellow Israelites from debt. We should care for the Levite, stranger, orphan and widow as well as any needy kinsmen. Those who give generously to others will be blessed by God. The portion ends with a summary of how to celebrate Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
Once again we have come across a very “meaty” portion – this one with multiple mentions of deer and gazelle. One can find kosher venison, though it is very expensive. If you’d rather go with a fish with fins and scales, you can make this Baked Fish Recipe with halibut or any other white fish. I am more drawn to the tithe of grain, wine, and oil mirrored in these Olive Oil and Wine Cookies. Re’eh foretells a time when we will rest and feel secure from all of our enemies (12:10). This nourishing recipe for Honey-Glazed Carrots with Pecans and Dates helps us look ahead to this predicted sweet future.
A reason given for why we eat dairy on Shavuot is that as the Jews were just receiving the Torah they did not yet understand the laws of kashrut as detailed.
Eating dairy is always easier – so consider some traditional Shavuot treats like Spinach and Cheddar Cheese Calzone.
Since this portion reminds us of the rewards of giving to others, if you are a challah baker, think about gifting one of your loaves to someone else. Or here is a “recipe” for making a donation to Manna Food.
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.
