Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Lentil Soup Is Not Red.
Some people are troubled by Evolution, Intelligent Design, Prophesy and the Oneness of G-d. I’m cool with all that.
I’m troubled by Lentil Soup.
Lentil Soup Is Not Red. Even the reddest of lentils always turn yellow when cooked.
So what was that Red, Red stuff that Eisav demanded and why was Eisav called ‘Edom’ (Red) from that day onward?
I’ve asked dozens of people without receiving a satisfactory explanation. It seems that people of all ages and around the world (including you) choose to believe in Red Lentil Soup (RLS) despite demonstrable evidence to the contrary. They make excuses: Lentils were different in those days, Red was different in those days, and pots were different in those days. I don’t go for that.
I cannot prove beyond a doubt that there were no other red ingredients in the soup, but I do think it is highly unlikely. The Torah is clear that lentils and their redness were the basis of the story. Also, contemporary mourners have replaced lentils with hard boiled eggs, and I have NEVER heard of anyone mixing ingredients into an Aveil’s egg (to make devil’s egg, for instance). It is most likely that the lentils were eaten plain. Tomatoes are the obvious red ingredient and it is well established that Yaacov Avinu never saw a tomato.
Enter my new hero, Gil Marks. Gil has an entire essay devoted to RLS, he writes:
“There is something unexpected in Esau’s request, for despite his evident hurry and bluntness, he says “na.” This term, like many things in this parsha, can be taken two ways: it usually means please [or immediate - SH], but can also translate as “raw” (Exodus 12:9). In other words, Esau wanted the stew before it was even fully cooked, which for red lentils is a relatively short time, in as little as ten minutes once the water is boiling. This corresponds to the tenor of the rest of Esau’s demand to literally “pour the red stuff down his throat,” not even taking time to chew or savor it. And, in fact, since red lentils tend to turn pink or golden as they cook, a red hue would seem to indicate an underdone state. Thus Esau was certainly no gourmand, practically begging to wolf down an undercooked, unsophisticated dish. It was an act of animalistic gratification, far from a spiritual expression and not even a matter of enjoyment.”
There is no such thing as Red Lentil Soup or Stew. The only reason it was red is because it was still raw!
Eisav lived for the moment. He scorned the Birthright by bartering it for immediate gratification. A person who is not even willing to wait for his soup to cook can have no appreciation for something as esoteric and responsibility laden as the Bechora.
I emailed Gil to thank him and to ask for the source of his new insight. This was his response:
“Sender,
Thanks for your compliment. Glad my writing was helpful. The pshat on the rawness of the lentil soup is actually mine, developed from my knowledge of food. I noticed it one time when I was making red lentil soup.
I believe that is why Hashem made us all different, each of us has knowledge and strength in specific areas that allow us to understand Chumash in a new and special light, and thereby contribute unique chidushim. Next time you read the parsha, try looking at various items and events in light of your specific strengths and knowledge. You might be surprised with the chidushim you devise.
Gil Marks”
We need to explore and reevaluate our understanding of the Torah each and every year. Even if, as children, we learned that Yaacov made Red Lentil Soup, we can still take a step back twenty five years later and say “but hey, Lentil Soup isn’t Red!”
It just plain isn’t.
