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  • About Us
  • IC Blog
  • Cocktails
    • The Ethel
    • Fall Bourbon Cider
    • Ramos Gin Fizz
    • Hester Street Gibson
    • Rhubarb Liqueur
    • Planter's Punch
    • Horseradish-infused Vodka (maror shots for Passover)
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    • Pull-apart Challah
    • Chilled Yogurt Soup
    • Turkish Yogurt Cake
    • Ricotta Pie
    • Hamantaschen
    • Slow-cooked BBQ Brisket
    • Harira
    • Vegan Hamantaschen
    • Neapolitan "Ricotta" Rice Pie (vegan)

Because every marriage is a mixed marriage.

On Mourning, Fasting, and Tisha B'Av

July 23, 2015

Remember how I said that Shavuot gets neglected among non-Orthodox Jews because it falls toward the end of the school year? Well, don't get me started about Tisha B'Av! Although, I'm told that it is a big deal at Jewish summer camp (which I did not attend).

Tisha B'Av (the ninth day in the Hebrew month of Av) is a communal day of mourning, marked by a 25 hour fast (sundown to sundown). It commemorates the two destructions of the Temple in Jerusalem, the first in 586 B.C.E and the second in 70 C.E. Subsequently, other atrocities suffered by the Jewish people have been added to this day of mourning. 

As this day is marked by tragedy, eating and drinking is prohibited, as is sexual relations, bathing, wearing leather shoes, and studying Torah (as this is considered a joyous activity). The Book of Lamentations is read.

The meal eaten prior to the fast is marked by eating round foods traditionally associated with mourning, such as hard-boiled eggs and lentils. The meal that concludes the fast traditionally lacks meat or wine, suggesting that the destruction of the Temple continued past the 25 hour mark. As such, an ideal food for either pre- or post-fast is the comfort food classic, mjedderah. Mjedderah is a heavenly, homey mix of lentils and rice--a perfect meal. The recipe that follows is one we have been making for years; it's easy and delicious. I recently made a version from Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi's amazing Jerusalem: A Cookbook. Their recipe is decidedly more labor intensive than ours, but totally worth it if you've got the time.

In recent years, Tisha B'Av and Ramadan have coincided. When that happens, some Jewish congregations and mosques will offer a joint iftar, or Break Fast. However, unlike such gatherings on Yom Kippur, the atmosphere surrounding Tisha B'Av is far more sorrowful. At no point do you wish somebody a Happy Tisha B'Av. You should, of course, always wish people a Happy Ramadan.

Mjedderah

1 cup rice
1/2 cup dried brown lentils, soaked for one hour, rinsed several times, and drained
1 tsp cumin (or to taste)
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth*
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp butter
1 onion, sliced thin
2 tbsp olive oil

In a medium saucepan combine the lentils and rice, add vegetable broth and the cumin. Add salt, pepper and butter. Bring to  boil, cover and lower the heat to simmer. Meanwhile, fry the onion in the olive oil until golden. When the rice is cooked, remove from heat and let rest for twenty minutes. Fluff with a fork. Serve on a platter with fried onions on top. 

We like this with served with Greek yogurt mixed with chopped cucumber, mint and a chopped jalapeño. 

*The recipe I originally made called for beef broth. This recipe has been adjusted for those keeping kosher and is dairy/vegetarian. Alternatively, you could use beef broth and substitute margarine for this to be a meat dish.

← Jewish Days of Awe... And the DutchEid Mubarak! →

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Previous Posts

  • 2016
    • Apr 3, 2016 Passover Planning: Booze Edition, Part I Apr 3, 2016
    • Mar 27, 2016 Happy Easter! (I made you a pie.) Mar 27, 2016
    • Mar 27, 2016 Happy [Belated] Purim! Mar 27, 2016
    • Mar 27, 2016 An explanation for our hiatus Mar 27, 2016
  • 2015
    • Sep 18, 2015 Jewish Days of Awe... And the Dutch Sep 18, 2015
    • Jul 23, 2015 On Mourning, Fasting, and Tisha B'Av Jul 23, 2015
    • Jul 21, 2015 Eid Mubarak! Jul 21, 2015
    • Jun 26, 2015 On Vacation and the Taste of Summer Jun 26, 2015
    • Jun 19, 2015 On the Summer Solstice and Savoring the Light Jun 19, 2015
    • Jun 17, 2015 Ramadan Mubarak! Jun 17, 2015
    • Jun 16, 2015 On Strawberry Festivals and Full Moons Jun 16, 2015
    • Jun 2, 2015 Barat Night Jun 2, 2015
    • May 28, 2015 In Today's Interfaith-y News May 28, 2015
    • May 26, 2015 Memorial Day and Yizkor May 26, 2015
    • May 24, 2015 More Shavuot/Pentecost reading May 24, 2015
    • May 21, 2015 Culinary Conversion! May 21, 2015
    • May 20, 2015 A tart (or pie) to rival cheesecake May 20, 2015
    • May 16, 2015 On Shavuot, Spring and Cheesecake May 16, 2015
  • 2012
    • Oct 18, 2012 Crossing the plains and kicking up dirt, a new Mormon pioneer – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs Oct 18, 2012
    • Mar 30, 2012 Passover Planning (For Real) Mar 30, 2012
    • Mar 8, 2012 Purim Cocktail! Mar 8, 2012
    • Mar 8, 2012 Hamantaschen Fail. Now What? Mar 8, 2012
    • Feb 28, 2012 Purim and Planning Feb 28, 2012
  • 2011
    • Nov 14, 2011 Eating and Mourning Nov 14, 2011
    • Oct 6, 2011 Break Fast Traditions From Around the Globe – Jew and the Carrot – Forward.com Oct 6, 2011
    • Oct 5, 2011 Fasting and Feasting Oct 5, 2011
    • Oct 1, 2011 Rosh HaShanah Recap Oct 1, 2011
    • Sep 29, 2011 The Gentile's Guide to the Jewish Holidays Sep 29, 2011
    • Sep 25, 2011 Rosh HaShanah; New Year, New Blog Sep 25, 2011

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