First posted in 2017, we are bringing back some of our favorite articles from Mark Lazar, who originally launched our Center for Jewish Life. 

The Forbidden Fruit

Contrary to Renaissance Art and Freudian thought, the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden was not an apple or a banana, but a fig! What other leaf could hide the private parts of Adam and Eve?  They were after all, made in the image of God …and presumably quite well endowed.

The Bowl of Lentil Stew

How much could a bowl of lentil stew cost?  Some lentils, broth of your choice, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, celery, parsley, basil, garlic, and pepper…an inexpensive meal for your family? For most, but not for the children of Isaac and Rebecca.  Jacob sold a bowl of stew and a chunk of bread to his brother Esau for his birthright…and we’re not talkin’ 10 days in Israel. At last estimate, the net worth of the descendants of Jacob (the entire Jewish nation) is…well it ain’t peanuts!

The First Seder

While still in Egypt, the night before the Exodus, the Israelites were actually dining on their first seder. The unleavened bread---matzah, the bitter herbs-marror and the sacrificial lamb-Pesach were all munched on, albeit in haste. It wasn’t until years later that the four glasses of wine and other symbolic items were added to the meal. Fortunately the first seder custom of putting the lamb’s blood on the doorpost of the house was discontinued. It didn’t seem so neighborly.

Desert Cuisine

While the Israelites were taking their time for forty years in the desert, it is said that they were provided with manna, a cake-like bread which fell from the heavens. After complaining of this all carb diet, quail was provided for them. The good news was that some of the Israelites were vegetarians. The bad news was that that those that ate the quail were struck down by a great plague. Win some, lose some.

And what to wash it down with?

Noah had a vineyard, Lot’s daughters had a secret cellar of some powerful brew and Pharoah’s Cup bearer lived to tell the tale.

All’s Well That Ends Well

After years of wandering the Israelites entered "a good land… a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey." Our heritage is full of Biblical food, drink and verse. We just need to take the time to digest it all.