Food Tourah: Ki Teitzei

September 3, 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. 49 parshiot down, 5 more to go!

Ki Teitzei (“When You Go Out”) contains 74 of the 613 mitzvot – more than in any other parsha! In a continuation of his farewell speech, Moses instructs the Israelites on laws covering a wide variety of topics: treatment of captives after battle, rules of inheritance, proper burial, returning lost objects, putting up a protective rooftop fence, and maintaining honesty in business dealings – to name just a few.  Agricultural laws also appear, including the directive that when gathering grapes, one must not go back a second time; whatever remains is to be left for the stranger, the orphan, and the widow.  The Israelites are reminded that when they make a vow to G-d, they must fulfill it. (Deut. 23:22)  The parsha concludes with an instruction to remember what Amalek did – attacking the most vulnerable Israelites as they left Egypt –  and an admonition to blot Amalek from memory, which is a reminder to act justly while remaining vigilant against evil.

We begin this week’s menu with Shepherd’s Pie, where the fluffy mashed potatoes form a protective “roof” atop the seasoned ground beef – echoing the instruction in Ki Teitzei to build a parapet around the roof of one’s home. For a vegetarian option, try this hearty  Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie.  (Both recipes are worth saving for the cooler months that are just around the corner!) If you’re looking for something lighter, Salmon with Roasted Grapes and Thyme offers a delicious nod to the grapes mentioned among the parsha’s harvest laws and a playful allusion to the little “time” left before the Israelites are finally able to enter the Promised Land!

Ki Teitzei also includes instructions for what to do with lost objects.  As a tie in, we were drawn to this Invisible Apple Cake – so named because the apples seem to disappear, or for our purposes, get “lost” in the batter!  Alternatively Black and White Mini Parfaits are an adorably sweet symbol of the justice the Israelites are yet again urged to pursue.  Their bold layers of dark and light suggest balance, fairness, and the reminder that we are called to act with honesty in all dealings.  Just as each layer of the parfait complements the others, true justice requires layers of integrity, compassion, and a recognition of multiple perspectives.

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.