Saturday, March 4, 2017

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Reading: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made … then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.”  Genesis 3:1, 7a

The Hebrew scriptures are full of wordplay, ambiguity, and multiple meanings, and here in the garden story of Genesis we see an interesting example: the serpent was arum – clever, sly or crafty, and Adam and Eve saw that they were arum – naked. Or did they indeed discover that they, like the serpent, were crafty? Or, crafty and naked? The Berakhot Sanhedrin says every word of Torah splits into 70 languages – as many interpretations as there are people. Imagine the challenge to the translator, especially considering that written biblical Hebrew has no vowels! So - what do you think? Are we naked or crafty?

Open our hearts to your word, O God, and give us understanding. Amen

• Invite friends or family to bake pretzels (see recipe below).

Lent: Pretzels                             425° oven                           Makes 12

(Pretzels were devised in a German monastery because they have no fat. The name comes from “Brezeln.” meaning “little arms” from the shape, which is meant to portray the crossed arms of a monk in prayer.)

Combine:                                          Stir in:

       1 pkg. yeast                               4 c. flour

       1½ c. warm water

       1 T. sugar

       1 t. salt

Knead well. Roll out to 16” x 12”. Cut into 12 strips. Roll strips between palms to about 24”. Shape into pretzels. Brush with 1 beaten egg white. Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake at 425° for about 15-20 minutes, until golden. Makes 12.