Feeding Women of the Talmud, Feeding Ourselves (Jewish Food Hero Collection)

In this intriguing cookbook, you will find much more than just recipes. First, there are plant-based recipes that range from simple teas for various occasions to complex main dishes as well as snacks, desserts, and breads. I was pleased to see recipes that included traditional techniques, like the Seven Herbs and Spices Focaccia, which uses sourdough culture, as well as quite innovative riffs, like the No-Bake Vegan Millionaire Squares. The latter is really nothing like its namesake caramel shortbread cookies but is nevertheless a sweet and tasty treat that is simply made with readily-sourced ingredients. Even more interesting are the included stories that accompany the recipes. The book recounts the stories of dozens of women from the Talmud, the text of Judaic law and commentary, told directly from that. Each woman’s story is told directly from the Talmud with questions for reflection or discussion. Being unfamiliar with the Talmud, I especially appreciated the contextual explanations as well as the modern commentary. Centering on these women, the stories invite new perspectives on traditional and evolving ideas and encourage you to dig deeper into this text and history. There is much to savor here, for the body, mind, and spirit.