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Jews have been stuffing foods for generations. From cabbage and grape leaves to kreplach and blintzes, stuffed foods carry tradition, symbolism and even mystical meaning. Kreplach or dumplings are traditionally eaten on the eve of Yom Kippur as well as Hoshana Rabba, both days of judgement. Kabbalistically, the meat-filled pockets are meant to symbolize our hope that G-d will coat our judgements (represented by meat) in mercy (represented by bread or dough). The tradition of eating stuffed foods on Sukkot is symbolic of an abundant harvest season. Since the wheat is harvested in Israel during the fall, we stuff foods to symbolize our desire for an overflowing harvest. This is popularly done with stuffed cabbage, which some say are also made to resemble the scrolls of a Torah. So...let’s get stuffing!
SEPT/OCT 2020
Fleishigs
35
