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Divrei
Rabbi Jerry
Rabbi
Jerry Seidler
TempleSinai
The Joy of Cooking (And Much More)
Today, I feel especially blessed and happy. I get to do something I love for the people I love. I am going to busy myself with dinner preparations for the almost 100 wonderful people coming to our Temple for second Passover seder. Many thanks to Elaine Green and all who helped to make second seder possible.
For me, cooking is a source of happiness and a spiritual pathway to joy. Folks who like to cook usually have a favorite something. Maybe it's the shopping; or perhaps the chopping or the sautéing or the roasting or the basting or the baking. I like all of that, but what I actually love best are the smells. Since I am writing this piece as Passover is about to begin, I have to just sit back and ask wistfully, "what could possibly be more enticing than the sweet scents of an Ashkenazi charoset -- freshly chopped apples; newly ground almonds, walnuts and cinnamon; and yes, the familiar cloying waft of concord grape wine?" How could the comforting aromas of homemade soup and kugel not put a broad smile on one's face? And the smoky wake-up greeting of matzo brei sizzling from the griddle is a divine gift to the olfactory senses. (Actually, it is morning, and the pungent bouquet of my mother's fruit compote is filling the house with springtime delight.)
Yet, as I reflect more, I have to admit that the joy of cooking does not only emanate from the shopping or the chopping or the sautéing or the roasting or the basting or the baking -- or even from the smelling and the tasting. The joy of cooking radiates as well from the love I hold for those who will be partaking of the meal. Indeed, as Passover dawns, I cannot imagine a more pleasant honor than being granted the opportunity to prepare much of the second seder dinner for the good people of Temple Sinai.
So here is the simple truth: I love making a life here in Greater Buffalo for my family and myself, and I love Temple Sinai. I imagine that the blessedness and happiness I feel blossom from these roots, and elevate my joy of cooking to celestial heights, as it were. I find myself elated and even giddy, kind of like Ed Wynn's ebullient Uncle Albert character in Mary Poppins.
In the spirit of the ancient masters Hillel (love your fellow) and Shammai (greet everyone with a smile), I hope to share joyful meals and more with all of you. "Spring Fling Shabbat" on May 4 and "June is Busting Out All Over Membership Appreciation Shabbat" on June 1 provide two marvelous opportunities, as will Shavuot evening, Tuesday May 22. Bring your friends and invite people you would like to see join our terrific synagogue community.
Oh yes, please remember that we are always collecting food in the Temple coat
room for the needy; and please be generous to Mazon, the international Jewish
agency dedicated to feeding all who require assistance (www.mazon.org or 1990
South Bundy Drive, Suite 260, Los Angeles, CA 90025).
Reconstructionist Judaism Makes the Heart Joyful, Sharpens the Mind, Brings Peace to the World. A Teaching from Rabbi Jerry
Blessings,
Rabbi
Jerry
Rabbi
Jerry H. Seidler
Temple
Sinai
50 Alberta Drive
Amherst
, NY
14221
(716) 834-0708
www.jrf.org/templesinai
Updated:
Thursday, May 03, 2007
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