There is a practice among cinephiles and foodies that is growing in popularity. Groups of people are hosting or attending meals in which the meal is themed entirely around the film being screened. Think eating spaghetti while watching Lady and the Tramp, drinking a White Russian while watching The Big Lebowski, or even a second breakfast while watching Lord of the Rings.
For people who are fans of Torah, there is a similar practice! Sometimes the Torah mentions a specific food…and some Torah fans like to try to imagine what it was they were eating and try it out. In this week’s Parsha, Toldot, there are multiple references to meals, but perhaps none are more pivotal than the “Red Stuff,” in Hebrew Ha-Adom Ha-Adom, literally “the reddy red.” As this is something that Jacob prepares and Esau eats, we know it to be a food…but what is this mysterious redness? Fortunately, our medieval commentators were also interested in this question.
Rashi explains that this must be Red Lentil Stew…which seems to make sense in regard to regional availability! I, however, just so happen to be allergic to lentils…and so I’ve compiled a list of other red things that we might eat to commemorate this parsha: Matbucha, Shakshuka, Pasta and Marinara Sauce, Strawberry Soup (it’s a real thing), Elotes (but only with hot Cheetos on the outside), Eggplant Parmesan, New Mexican Red Chile, and Tomato Soup (grilled cheese optional). Let’s take the opportunity to engage with Torah through another one of your senses…taste. Who knows how the story might come alive!
One way you might bring Torah to life, while you’re shopping for your “Red Stuff,” would be to grab some non-perishable food items to donate to the JFS Food Pantry! When Jacob gave Esau the red stuff, Esau was desperate for a meal. Too many today share in his desperation…and we can help by living the Torah of feeding the hungry!