Passionate About Cooking, Rabbi Authors Food Book

By COLlive reporter

“A Kabbalah of Food: Stories, Teachings, Recipes” by Chabad Shliach Rabbi Hanoch Hecht is the No. 1 new release on Amazon.com in the “Jewish/Hasidism” category.

Rabbi Hecht is the spiritual leader of the Rhinebeck Jewish Center in Rhinebeck, New York. He is a guest lecturer at the Culinary Institute of America and appeared on Food Network’s hit show Chopped in 2016.

His recipes—a fusion of traditional, modern, and kosher cuisines—have appeared in culinary publications all over the world.

Innovative in its style and format, the book illuminates the essential role food plays in Jewish tradition. The book weaves 63 recipes with 39 Chasidic stories and includes mystical interpretations, creating a narrative which is as fascinating as it is unique.

“Every living thing has a connection to food, obviously. But the way the Jews prepare and serve their food has a higher and deeper meaning than just physical sustenance,” says author Rabbi Hecht. “I’ve always been fascinated with how closely every dish we eat is connected with our spirituality and Neshama [soul]. I finally decided it was time to prepare and serve up everything I’ve learned over the years.”

When the book was recently featured in the prestigious magazine Publishers Weekly—a rarity for Chasidic books—the reviewer noted: “Rabbi Hecht, a former competitor on Food Network’s show Chopped, combines his passion for Jewish teaching and food in this entertaining volume. He contends that ‘[c]ooking, sharing, and enjoying food … creates a dwelling place for God within us and allows us to elevate the spark of g-dliness within the physical world.’”

VIDEO: Rabbi Hanoch Hecht Makes Latkes on Fox5 Good Day New York

 

The book is being distributed by Sol’s Books ([email protected]) and is available at Judaica World in Crown Heights and local Judaica stores. It is also being distributed by Consortium Book Sales and Distribution/IPS to secular stores.