This is not a frivolous question. Really, what are we-human beings-doing here on this earth? The question boils down to, why were we created, and what is our purpose in life?

We, the Jewish People, believe that we were created for a divine purpose. Human beings were, millenia ago, designated by a Covenant first between G-d and Adam in the Garden of Eden, and then with Abraham to bring morality and ethical behavior - a higher civilization, if you will - to the world. We are supposed to do "Tikkun Olam," ('repair the world') so to speak, and to elevate it to a higher, more spiritual level.

Being "chosen" means chosen to be a messenger, a "light unto the nations" to demonstrate how to live our lives the way G-d intended for us. We are obligated to reach a higher level in our existence here on earth, to make our lives--plain and simple--holy.

The first laws given to man by G-d - to ALL human beings, were what are known today as the Noahide laws. These were seven laws of how to conduct one's life, given by The Almighty to Adam, and then Noah, who according to the Torah (Bible) along with his family were the sole survivors after the Great Flood.

These laws are:

1. "Avodah Zarah" - The prohibition against idolatry
2. "Birkhat HaShem" - The prohibition against blasphemy
3. "Shefichut-Damim" - The prohibition against murder
4. "Gilui Arayot" - The prohibition on sexual immorality
5. "HaGezel" - The prohibition against theft.
6. "HaDinim" - The command to establish laws and courts of justice
7. "Ever min haChai" - The prohibition against eating the limb of a living animal.

Now, how can we--in our ordinary daily lives--accomplish this? How can we make our daily existence, HOLY?

Let's start by looking at what and how we eat! We all have to eat to exist, right? But then again, so do animals. How can we, who are cognizant of our existence, have consciousness and free will, elevate ourselves from the animals by connecting to our Creator, and make our lives holier?

Holiness starts at the very beginning, way before the food is cooked and on our plate: we first need to show compassion for the animal, by following the Noahide law for all mankind, of not tearing off a limb from a living animal (which is what carnivorous animals do when in the wild). Jewish kosher laws have even taken it steps further, with specific animals which are permitted and not, a humane way of slaughtering, and also removing the blood by a soaking and salting process known as "kashering."

In these pages, we hope to introduce you to a new, holier way of eating. It is said, "we are what we eat." That is true in so many ways. The way we 'treat' our food, prepare it and relate to it reflects on the way we relate to our Creator first and foremost, to our fellow human beings, and ultimately, to ourselves.

It is appropriate, therefore, at this auspicious time approaching the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana) -- with its myriad of special traditional dishes--for us to raise our spiritual level, starting with how we approach our dinner table.

Rosh HaShanah Recipes

Without food we can not live... We all have heard the famous line, "Man does not live by bread alone...."

What does it mean? The verse comes from Torah [Deuteronomy 8:3] and is a reference to the miraculous manna, which fell from heaven daily during the Jewish people's sojourn in the wilderness. The conclusion of the verse is that "rather, by the utterance of God's mouth does man live." Thus, it is reminding us about the true source of human sustenance.