If you know me, you know my favourite meal is a snacky cheese platter. It’s the perfect meld of textures, flavours and aromas. It’s a delicious way to share goodness around a table – it’s reliable, and it’s an opportunity to try new flavours.
It’s also indicative of life, which presents us with an array of experiences and shapes who we are.
Some cheeses are mild and creamy, while others are tangy and sharp. There’s the beautiful marriage of sweet and sour pickles, sweet jams, salty olives and even pungent blue cheese.
Sometimes we don’t know what we’re putting on that cracker, but we’re willing to give it a go.
That’s life for you, peppered with challenges that test our limits, pushing us to grow and try new things. Sometimes it’s hard and sharp, other times it’s as reliable and as comforting as good ol’ gouda.
A cheese platter, come to think of it, is a potent blend of society.
Cut the Cheese!
Why all this cheesy talk? It’s Shavuot this week. In a few days, we’ll gather to commemorate the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. It’s a time of reflection, a time to focus on the importance of community and a time to realise just how important community is in our spiritual growth.
The Torah was not presented to a single person but to an entire community. We weren’t designed to live in isolation, but rather to connect with others and build relationships.
As Shavuot approaches, take a moment to reflect on the role community plays in your spirituality. Isn’t it through interactions with others that we learn and grow? Isn’t it when we’re surrounded by others with shared values and beliefs that we challenge ourselves and push beyond our limitations?
Let’s Eat (Cheese)Cake!
Shavuot is a time of gratitude, reflection and tradition. Particularly, the tradition of consuming cheesecake (and other dairy products).
Why has cheesecake become synonymous with Shavuot? There are a few theories. Some say the Torah may be compared to milk, nourishing the soul. Others believe that when the Israelites received the Torah, they were bound by new dietary laws, requiring them to separate meat and dairy. To celebrate, they head straight for the dairy products (I do hope there was a cheese platter).
Regardless of the reason (and lactose tolerance levels), cheesecake is a staple of Shavuot festivities the world over, with countless variations making an appearance over this period.
Cheesecake is versatile. You can add all sorts of flavours and toppings; experiment with different crackers and cookie crusts. Whether you like it baked or straight out of the refrigerator, whether it’s perfectly set or a gloriously tasty flop, cheesecake offers something for everyone.
Sometimes, Community Crumbles
Just like cutting through that first piece of crumbly Roquefort that lands everywhere but where you want it, let’s recognise that community isn’t always smooth sailing. To be an active, invested member, we must be vulnerable, patient and understanding.
It’s through these traits – and sometimes challenges – that we become better versions of ourselves. That it becomes easier to build strong relationships, supporting one another’s spiritual journeys.
Grate, Let’s Devour Dairy
Just like cheesecake has something for everyone, so does a platter of cheese. And so does life. Life has something to offer every one of us. Whether we prefer to try those onion-flavoured crackers with brie and strawberries or stick to the familiar Salitcrax and cheddar, there’s a place for us in this world.
But in the same way some cheeses don’t cut it for our tastebuds, there will be moments in life that we don’t enjoy or that push us out of our comfort zone. It’s these experiences that help us appreciate the good times and build reliance towards the future.
A platter of cheese blends a community of deliciousness, variety and ages. It invokes mouth-watering experiences around bitterness, sweetness, being hard and soft; sticking to the familiar or trying a new taste sensation.
As Shavuot approaches, it’s time for us to come together and celebrate Torah and community. It’s a time to reflect on unity, responsibility and the values of togetherness – the cores of Jewish tradition. By gathering friends, family and community, we strengthen our bonds and deepen our sense of belonging.
Whether it’s through shared meals, prayer or study, Shavuot is the perfect platter for connection and reaffirmation of our commitment to our heritage and one another.
This Shavuot, let’s embrace the platter of cheese that life is and savour every precious bite, be it sharp or mild, comforting or chewy. After all, it’s the variety that makes it worth it – and the people around our table sharing that platter.
May we all be blessed with a fulfilling and meaningful Shavuot.
Nachas & Drash 