Why We Eat Chicken Soup on Shabbat
Despite its apparent lack of deep history—as there are no obvious references in any classic sources speaking of chicken soup on the Friday night Shabbat dinner menu—this basic staple in every (Ashkenazic) Jewish home is so widespread that it must have been bubbling on the fire since antiquity! Here we provide a tripod of solid Talmudic footings that seems to be the likely source for this piping hot Shabbat delicacy. Late in the modern period, we do discover copious and truly fascinating rhyme and reason for both the broth and the accompanying “lokshin” noodles!
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| Topics: | Halacha, Shabbat Foods, Minhag, Chicken Soup |
Rabbi Mendel Kaplan is the Spiritual Leader and Executive Director of Chabad Flamingo in Thornhill, Ontario, serving one of Canada’s most dynamic Jewish communities. He also serves as Chaplain of the York Regional Police Service. He is an active member of Toronto’s Vaad HaRabbanim (Council of Orthodox Rabbis), and a voting member of the COR Kashruth Council of Canada’s executive rabbinical board. Rabbi Kaplan is featured regularly on many local television and radio shows. He is a sought after speaker, with hundreds of lectures on Chabad.org. He and his wife, Faygie, are blessed with eight children. Artistically endowed, the rabbi enjoys drawing, sketching and creating charcoal portraits.
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