Monday, June 15, 2009

Cucumber Craving

And the mixed multitude that was among them cultivated a craving; and the Children of Israel also turned and they wept and said: 'Who will feed us meat? We remember the fish that we would eat in Egypt free of charge; the cucumbers, and the melons, leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our life is parched, there is nothing; we have nothing before our eyes but the manna! - Numbers 11:4-6

What's so great about cucumbers anyway? Well I'll tell you!

The Egyptians made a drink from cucumber. When it was ripe, a hole was cut at the end. Then a small stick was inserted into the hole. After much stirring and squashing, the hole was plugged and the veggie was buried in the ground for a few days. When it was unearthed, the fermented pulp inside made for a powerful cocktail.

(See the cool things that you can learn from Uncle John's All-Purpose Extra-Strength Bathroom Reader?)

Yum! How could a monotonous diet of honey wafers (what manna tasted like) compete with a cheap and easy cucumber buzz? Perhaps the memories of the smashing good times that the Jews had in Egypt eventually led to their pre-eminence in the wine and liquor business?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

They wanted cucumber booze? Possibly, but it wouldn't explain leeks, onions, etc.

Your last piece on the sekhvi was much more solid.

Happy said...

That last comment was me.
Also, isn't it funny that Artscroll follows the Rosh's translation on sekhvi whereas practically everywhere else they follow Rashi. I wonder why... ;)

Frum Heretic said...

Wasn't supposed to "solid" or serious. Just saw an interesting tidbit in Uncle John's that I wanted to share!

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