18.01.2011                     13.Shevat, 5771

Rezepte:

The Jewish Palate: Eat like an Egyptian

A column about Jewish history and food: The proud Jews of the Second Exodus have brought their culinary traditions out of Egypt.

Jewish Communities have existed in the land of Egypt for thousands of years despite the three prohibitions against returning to Egypt mentioned in the Torah.  Egypt has been both a place of “enslavement” and a place of refuge for the Jewish People. All Jews know the story of the Exodus, but perhaps not everyone knows that Egypt has also been a tolerant safe haven during times of persecution.  Wave after wave of Jews settled in Egypt after fleeing or being expelled from other lands.  The most notable influx of refugees brought the great Maimonides to Egypt.  He and his family were fleeing from the ruthless Almohad Caliphate which conquered portions of Southern Spain and North Africa. Egypt became an important center of Jewish thought, and many Talmudic Schools were established there….