Turkish Jews Wear Havdalah Besamim from Sundown Friday to Nightfall Saturday

I know, I know. School’s coming to a close and for now there are no more holidays on the horizon. All the more reason we should take a look at Shabbat, especially if you’re giving some thought to next year’s lesson plans.
We all have our Shabbat comfort aromas. Like a yoga mantra, these fragrances envelope us in a sense of calm. The Havdalah service ending the Sabbath day reminds us of Shabbat’s sweet scent through the use of Besamim – fragrant spices. While most of us use a dry blend of whole cloves, cinnamon pieces and allspice, Turkish Jews prefer a spice from nature. In fact, they use fresh Besamim to bookend the Shabbat. Here’s what they do. Before Shabbat begins they pick or buy a fresh sprig of an aromatic spice such as rosemary or mint. The men place the herb in their jacket lapel and go to synagogue wearing this sweet smelling reminder. The sprig is never removed. By Havdallah time it becomes a convenient accessory. Returning to synagogue with the same herb lodged in their lapel, they say Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha olam, bo're minei b'samim, "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who creates varieties of spices." They then remove the sprig and breath in its aroma in order to savor Shabbat and the tranquility it provides.
What a wonderful way to start the work week! You can get that message across to your students every Friday afternoon. Add some seasoning to your lesson plan by explaining the symbolism of the Havdalah spices, then send your students home with fresh spice sprigs. Ask them to come up with some creative post-Havdalah ways to use the spice.
Keep me posted on their ideas.
Have a Shavua Tov…Tami

Moroccan Jews Eat Matza on the First Night of Shavuot

Did you or your school over-buy Matza for Passover? A Moroccan Shavuot custom ripe with symbolism will help diminish the number of Matza sheets piled high in kitchen cabinets.

Once Moroccan Jews recite the Kiddush on Shavuot eve they take a few pieces of Matza that they saved from Passover and break them into small pieces. They then make a mixture of honey and milk. Immediately after, they blend the Matza pieces into the mix. Everyone gets their own portion, savoring the taste of this Shavuot treat.

You might consider this custom ‘cute’ or ‘quaint’, but let’s examine the meaning behind it in order to appreciate its true worth. Matza is our bread of affliction, representing the journey we began as a people. It also reminds us of the difficult escape we made from Egypt. The honey symbolizes the sweet feeling of being given the Torah. By receiving a code of law that we could call our own, we officially became a nation. To quote Jackie Gleason: “How Sweet It Is.” The milk is part of the Shavuot dairy tradition. Blended together, the combination of these three ingredients reminds us that Shavuot marks the conclusion of our Exodus from Egypt and the beginning of our collective, national experience.

So, if you’re looking for a creative way to get the Shavuot message across to your class, try this recipe out during snack time.
May you have a yummy and meaningful Shavuot…Tami