The cave of treasures: Syriac Anthology from late antiquity in Hebrew translation

Abstract

resembles the Greek symposium. The last part of the book is devoted to contemporary recipes showing the variety of possibilities offered by the many geographical origins of Jewish culinary traditions and the influence of recent social changes, especially gender and generational roles around the Seder table and in the preparation of its special foods. Although Weingarten does not draw this comparison explicitly, there is a difference between Orthodox communities that define and limit permissible innovations with regard to recipes or symbolism versus the earnest, free-form understanding of more secular Jews who seek to evoke memories and authenticity, but in a customized fashion. The very creativity and ambiguity with regard to haroset’s recipes and symbolism show the slippage between Biblical injunctions and modern individualism. There is a desire to commemorate in accord with a distant past, as well as adapting to social change – Weingarten discusses “men in the kitchen” and “feminist haroset”. Passover and its food rituals continue to evoke religious cohesion and identity under adversity, but now, as in earlier times, they incorporate outside influences.