King For A Day The strange story of Rabbi Shaul ben Yehuda Wahl. ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM ASSOCIATE EDITOR Q: I seem to be the only Jew in the universe who actually eats buksor (aka St. John's Bread, carob pods) — you know, that bizarre Tu B'Shevat thing that's a cross between a date and tree bark. I love it so much that a friend took a picture of it growing on trees in Israel, which I now have framed and sitting on my desk (some people have kids' pictures; I have snack foods). Anyway, being a real '90s kind of gal, I must know the nutritional in- formation of everything I eat. I have been searching obsessively for nu- tritional info on buksor — calories and fat grams in particular. I also would love to know its history and use. I can't find anything anywhere. Can Tell Me Why help? From reader J.K. in Smithfield A: This food of 1,000 names Diamonds by the yard! One of a kind, PINE .JEWEB—Filf ▪ CUSTOM DESIGNS IN PLATINUM • GOLD • SILVER II MAJOR DIAMONDS • PRECIOUS GEMS U REPAIRS AND RESTORATIONS ON JEWELRY • WATCHES GEM NERO THE DETRO pino PLALTIUM OLD ORCHARD MALL S.E. CORNER OF ORCHARD LAKE ROAD & MAPLE ROAD 810-626-4484 (we'll refer to it as carob here) is a native of the eastern Mediter- l.anean area. Its trees reach as high as 50 feet and bear petal- less yellow or red flowers. The delicious food (rest as- sured: there are others out there who love carob) consists of a pod that starts at about 3 inches long but can grow as big as 12 inches; inside each you'll find between five and 15 little seeds (which should be removed before eating the pod). The seeds are extremely hard, rendering them inedible to all but those who enjoy breaking their teeth. But they do contain a gum- like substance used in certain in- dustries, including textiles, leather and rubber making. It takes a lot of work to get that gum out, though: about 1,000 pounds of pods brings in 100 pounds of seeds, yielding 35 pounds of gum. And still this is not the end of the process. The gum must be removed from the seed and roasted before it is placed in boiling water. After the liquid evaporates, a kind of pow- dery substance remains. It is this substance which finds its way into numerous industrial prod- ucts. Some say carob tastes like chocolate (which is why carob chips are often used in recipes calling for the chocolate variety). Some label the food (not just the flavor, but the leather-like tex- ture of the pod) inedible, ghastly even. There's no question that it's sweet though, which is totally un- derstandable considering the fact that carob pods are 50 percent sugar. Tell Me Why's favorite nutri- tionist, Janis Roszler of Oak Park, found out the answer to the rest of your question. This infor- crowned and given all the pow- mation applies specifically to the ers of a Polish king. He seized the flour (from ground pods), but it opportunity to enact decrees fa- should tell you everything you vorable to the Jews. ever wanted to know (and more) The following day, the noble- about carob (which, by the way, men met again and agreed that has virtually no fat). Sigismund III, Stephen Batho- Per 1/4 cup carob flour: ry's nephew, should be Poland's 64 calories next king. Shaurs reign was over, 1.5 grams protein and he became known as the 98 mg. calcium "king for a night." 319 mg. potassium Over the centuries, historians 31.5 gm. carbohydrates have debated the authenticity of 6 mg. sodium the story. There is no doubt that 15 IU vitamin A Shaul was a real person, had 1.4 mg. iron great wealth and that his influ- Q: In a previous Tell Me Why you ence with the Polish monarchy described the legend of a Jewish was considerable. No one is cer- queen of Spain. As always, the ex- tain how he acquired the appel- planation was brilliant. Isn't there lation "Wahl," which in German means "choice." also a legend about a Jew- AP/CARLOS OSORIO ish king of Poland? A: There certainly is, and in this case the Jew- ish subject of the legend was a true historical fig- ure. The legend concerns Rabbi Shaul ben Yehu- da Wahl (1482-1565), grandson of Rabbi Meir Katzenellenbogen, chief rabbi of Padua, Italy. Shaul was born in Pad- ua in 1545. As a young man he left his birth- place to study in Poland, settling in Brest-Litovsk (today in Ukraine). In time, he became a wealthy merchant and the leader of Brest- Litovsk's Jewish com- munity. He had extensive business deal- ings with the Polish monarchy and became well known throughout the kingdom. He died in Babs: The nose knows. Brest-Litovsk around 1617. 0: Look, let's be honest. Barbra Among the most famous leg- Streisand has a big, big nose. Now, ends told of Shaul concerns his I've heard a lot about why she election as king of Poland — for wouldn't have it fixed ("it would af- a night. As the story goes, fect her voice"), but I have to know: Stephen Bathory, king of Poland, didn't she, at least once, ever con- died Dec. 12, 1586. Unlike most sider a rhinoplasty? other countries, Poland had an A: She did indeed — but some- elected, not a hereditary, monar- body talked her out of it. chy. The Polish nobles set a date Early in her career, while she of Aug. 18, 1587, to elect a new was starring in Funny Girl on king. But the numerous factions Broadway, Babs was thinking could not agree on who should about getting a nose job. But pro- rule the country. The day soon turned to night and one of -the ducer David Merrick convinced her not to go through with it. frustrated noblemen suggested 'Don't," he advised. "You'll be like they select a temporary ruler un- everyone else." ❑ til the political mess could be straightened out. Everyone pre- sent agreed the interim king should be Poland's leading Jew, the wise Rabbi Shaul. Shaul immediately was Send questions to "Tell Me Why'' c/o The Jewish News, 27676 Franklin Rd., Southfield, MI 48034 or send fax to 354-6069.