The BiG Story

Cover Story

A Green
Garden Of
Talmud

The dark clouds of winter may
linger, but you can still brine a
bit of spring
and Judaism
into your life.

Fun Facts:
• In the days of the Mishnah, cumin
grew throughout the Land of Israel
and was so prolific it was even
exported. Jews of the time loved
cumin sprinkled directly onto bread.
• Because cumin is believed to have
blood-clotting qualities, rabbis have
used it to stop bleeding accompa-
nied by circumcision.
How To Use:
Though many consider it exotic,
cumin is actually an easy-to-use spice.
You can try it with rice and chicken,
or see how it makes guacamole even
yummier with this recipe:

1 ripe avocado, gently smashed with
fork
2 T. for more, to taste) salsa
1 t. salt
1 /2 t. lemon juice
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. cumin
Gently mix all ingredients together and
serve.

• Rabbis of long ago believed that
1 garlic was an aphrodisiac, and
advised couples to enjoy plenty of it
1 on Friday nights.
1 • If you love garlic but don't love the
aftereffects, consider a long bath.
Some believe the hot water will
1 steam the aroma right out of your
pores.
• During World War I, physicians
used garlic juice to treat open
wounds. Today, however, doctors
advise against it because it can
cause irritation.
• Russian Jews have advocated aid-
: ing a sore throat by drinking garlic
tea.
• In the Old West, legend had it that

a girl could get rid of an unwanted
suitor with garlic. All she had to do
was take two pins and .a clove of
garlic, then leave them all at any
intersection. As soon as the unwitting
I fellow crossed over the garlic and
pins, he up and lost his interest. (Of
GARLIC:
course, this was in the days when
those dirt roads didn't see too much
Where You'll Read About It:
Elizabeth Applebaum
bles we love today often were
Numbers
traffic.
If trying today, please pick a
1
1
:5
AppleTree Editor
favorites of our most ancient ances-
remote area where you're not likely
How To Plant: Start with cloves,
tors, as well. These include pome-
1
to
startle drivers.)
not
seeds.
It's
best
to
plant
in
spring,
here% nothing like green for a
granate and beets, cumin and fennel , about six weeks before the final frost.
•
Romans believed so strongly in the
burn. It's such ancient wisdom,
quinces and hyssop.
power
of garlic that they ate it before
1
Place
in
rich
soil,
2
inches
into
the
in fact, that Adam himself might
Interestingly, the Talmud — which
going into battle.
ground, with cloves 6 inches apart.
I have tried it.
cites some 70 herbs — doesn't just
• Today, health-care professionals
Garlic
will
need
some
shade
to
sur-
I If you suffer a minor burn, some
talk about the wondrous taste of
have a whole litany of reasons to eat
vive. Cut back_when flowers start to
physicians advise reaching for a
these, but of their medicinal and cos-
appear.
garlic;
over the centuries, garlic has
piece of aloe, breaking it open and
metic qualities. Since gardening and
Fun Facts:
been recommended as helpful in
!squeezing the cold, thick juice on for
1 nature and cooking are naturals for
•
combating
everything from worms to
Garlic
is
said
to
have
been
a
a gentle salve.
children, your family will have fun try-
headaches to heart problems.
favorite among the Israelites forced to
And according to tradition, an
ing these projects, all based on flora
• The United States is home not only
work
for
Pharaoh,
and
that
they
aloe tree grew in the Garden of
and fauna mentioned in the Tanach.
to the famous annual Garlic Festival
longed for its pungent taste while
Eden. (To read more about aloe, see
NOTE: Never use herbal cures
1
wandering
in
the
desert.
in Gilroy, Calif., but the Order of the
Numbers 24:6). It is believed by
without first consulting your physician. 1 • Garlic was extremely popular
Stinking Rose, a garlic lovers' club.
some to be the only tree that existed
How To Use :
among
the
ancient
Egyptians,
who
I both in the famous garden and in
CUMIN:
• Children will enjoy braiding garlic.
even placed their hands on a clove
gardens of our day.
Where
You'll
Read
About
It:
After
stalks have dried,. rinse slightly,
1
when
making
a
vow!
In
one
pyra-
It's tree time.
Isaiah 28:25 and 27.
then braid. This is not only fun, it
mid, archaeologists discovered an
- Each year-, we celebrate Tu b'Shevat,
How To Plant It: You will need
helps preserve the herb.
inscription
that
tells
of
the
thousands
the birthday of the trees, though winter's
rich soil and plenty of sun. If outside,
I • One delicious way to serve garlic,
of slaves who spent 30 years build-
cold hands still hold tight to much of
it% best to start with a small plant,
which even younger children likely
ing
the
structure,
all
the
while
dining
the country. This year, Tu b'Shevat is
unless you live in a consistently warm
will appreciate, is simply to cook it in
on garlic, leeks and onions. The
I observed on Thursday, Feb. 8.
climate (in which case you can use
a
bit of olive oil and a drop of salt.
famed
Pyramid
of
Cheops
had
The Torah and Talmud are filled
seeds). You can, however, start seeds
Place whole, peeled cloves in a fry-
scrawled within information on how
with references not only to trees but
indoors then take them outside for
I
ing
pan, then serve atop pizza, with
much
it
cost
to
buy
garlic
to
feed
all
to all of nature. Herbs and vegeta-
transplanting in the spring.
salads, pasta, chicken — just about
the workers during construction.

I

2/2
2001

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