Food Torah – Pekudei

March 25, 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. 23 parshiot down, 31 more to go!

Pekudei is the final parsha that deals with building the Mishkan – it also happens to be the final parsha in Exodus, the second book of the Torah.  The parsha provides a detailed account of all the materials used to fabricate the Mishkan, ensuring transparency in how the gold, silver, and other resources were allocated. It describes the completion of the Mishkan and the priestly garments, followed by Moses assembling the Mishkan for the first time and G-d’s command to anoint Aaron and his sons as priests. The parsha closes with a cloud settling over the Mishkan, signifying G-d’s presence.

Pekudei is the last in a series of five parshiot dealing with the construction of the Mishkan.  What do we do when a significant project is completed?  We have a ribbon-cutting ceremony, of course! As a playful nod to this momentous occasion, try this recipe for Blue Ribbon Chili.  And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, how about Cornbread Challah? Not only will it pair perfectly with the chili, but its golden hue also calls to mind the gold used to build the Mishkan.  For a sweet finish, Berries in a Cloud will melt in your mouth, evoking the divine cloud that settled over the Mishkan.

And with that, we’ve finished two books of the Torah – Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazek!

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.