Do You Cholent?

There is a dish that is traditionally eaten on Shabbos (the Sabbath) called Cholent. It is a thick, brown stew that cooks for several hours (over night) in a crockpot. Historically, cholent was eaten because it was a warm food that could be eaten on Shabbos (even with the prohibition for lighting a fire or cooking). There were a group of Jews called the Sadducees who (during the time of the 2^nd Temple) were literalist and followed the written law of the Torah but not the oral law. They would not use lights or eat cooked food on the Sabbath. In response to their literalism, another group of Jews (the Pharisees) began eating warmed food, to prove that the oral law needed to be observed. Basically, the Pharisees won (all the Sadducees eventually died off) and today we eat warmed food on the Sabbath. Had it been the other way around, we’d all be sitting in the dark eating cold pickles.

Anyway, back in Eastern Europe (where many Ashkenazi Jews come from), Jews would put meat and potatoes into a large pot, shlep (aka: carry) it down to the community fire pit and leave it to cook and be eaten during Shabbos. Since cholent cooks slowly, it can be put on a fire before Shabbos and removed when ready to eat, avoiding the prohibition of cooking on the Shabbos (it’s complicated, but just trust me). 

Today, many Jews still make and eat cholent on Shabbos. Now, keep in mind that although cholent is traditional, it is by no means good for you. It is never going to be in those articles about the top 1000 healthiest foods. In fact, it ranks up there on the healthy food lists with double bacon cheese-burgers (minus the bacon and cheese) and french-fries. Although when it goes into the pot, it looks like a stew, by the time you eat it, it looks more like mortar, thickening every artery in your bloodstream (while warming and filing your tummy). And, be forewarned: the beans are lethal. And, don’t even think of eating left over cholent. It’s quite deadly.

What’s in cholent? Meat, potatoes, barley, beans and pretty much anything else you want to put in it. All you need is a crockpot. Then, add ingredients, seasoning and water. Turn the crockpot on low and voila! No one will notice if you toss in last week’s leftovers or someone’s old sock. It’s always brown and the smell prevents any breathing being (human, cat, dog, hamster) from getting good nights sleep as it slows cooks all night wafting meat and potatoes through your home. Since all the foods gel together cholent has become somewhat of a verb, meaning to congeal, get along or gel. For example if two people go out on a date, you might ask, “Did they cholent?” meaning, did they get a long?

A couple weeks ago I spent Shabbos in NYC with my older two children and some of our good friends. We were hosted by a friend-of-a-friend who lives on the West side. The West side has its own personality and Jewish culture among other things. It was a very special experience to have Shabbos nine stories up while watching snowflakes cascade down onto the cabs and rushing vehicles. I was describing to my husband (who was not there) how delightful my Shabbos was and how delicious the food was: challah, chicken, ribs, kale salad, squash, guacamole…mmmm.  I was telling him how much I not only enjoyed being with our friends and eating the delicious food, but just how much I enjoyed the entire Shabbos talking, laughing and having a wonderful time. From my description of the delicious, healthy food, my husband noticed that I had not eaten cholent. He then said, “You can always tell what level someone is on by whether they serve cholent.” “Huh? Are you saying that cholent determines someone’s level of observance? ” I asked. He went on to explain that typically more religious Jews serve cholent. I hung up the phone wondering where he gets these ideas, but then decided that the cholent, that he had obviously just consumed, had clogged his brain. But, I have to admit that his observation is somewhat accurate. 

I’m not in agreement about the spiritual aspects but perhaps people who eat cholent are a bit more traditional in the Eastern European way. Even so, I sure hope I’m not judged by how much cholent (or any other food) I consume. If that’s the case, my dog will get the most points. She loves it! But, if you’re worried, you may want to hit the cholent pot next time you’re a guest or throw some lethal substances into a pot and let it cook all night if you’re a host. It’s actually quite tasty! #cholent #marriedtoayid