Parsha Poster #36 – Beha’alotecha: Cloudy directions And on the day that the Mishkan was

Parsha Poster #36 – Beha’alotecha: Cloudy directions

And on the day that the Mishkan was erected, the cloud covered the Mishkan, which was a the tent for the Testimony; and at evening there was over the Mishkan the appearance of fire, until morning. So it was always: the cloud covered it, and the appearance of fire by night. And whenever the cloud went up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel journeyed; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel encamped.
— Num. 9:15-17

Buy this poster here.

Subscribe to get the parsha in your email weekly.

Clouds and Fire

Through the fourth aliyah (and into the fifth), the Israelites follow a cloud through the desert. It’s a captivating image, one more reminiscent of a French children’s film than Torah. Does the cloud frolic, and whistle happy little tunes? Comfort children when they fall and skin their knees? Sure, the cloud bursts into flames each night, but it’s probably some sort of campfire, right, with everyone dancing with timbrels and singing Maccabeats songs?

We adapted a childhood drink to reflect the innocent images of that passage. (Also, it’s been really hot, and we just wanted an excuse to consume ice cream (ice cream not pictured. Oops).

Recipe: Clouds and Fire (Num 9:16): In a blender, combine 2 scoops chocolate ice cream, 2 scoops vanilla ice cream, and ¼ c. hot fudge/chocolate sauce/etc. Add 1-2 shots each of cinnamon schnapps (or whiskey) and Kahlua (or equivalent. We hear that one of the kosher companies makes mock Kahlua, but that has not made it to the South Side). Top with a cloud of whipped cream, which we did make ourselves and should have made boozy. Camp out on a barstool and remember, no moving unless you’re following that whipped cream cloud.

Andrea Frazier is the self-appointed President of the Hyde Park Kiddush Club. Each week, she and her minyanaires-in-crime post the recipe for a drink inspired by the parsha at Tippling Through The Torah.