The use of cookie cutters can be a fun and easy way to reinforce the week’s parsha. There are many ways to use them, which you can mix and match with each other or other lunchbox ideas.
Where to get these cutters? CookieCutter.com is a mom-and-pop company, which makes a HUGE selection of cutters at very reasonable prices! Shop through this link: https://cookiecutter.com/TALYA, and put TALYA as a discount code for 10% off your first purchase! Yes, I get a commission when you shop through the link.
I have found something that will reinforce almost every parsha… and hope to improve! Here is what I found so far… some are use in several parshiot, so check your basket to avoid multiples of the same cutter.
- Sandwiches
You can use cookie cutters to cut sandwiches to related shapes. However, I hate to waste and this generally will end up wasting a great deal. Feel free, though, if it works for you. I prefer to use them for sandwiches as follows:
a. Contrasting Slices. Use two different colors of bread. Take a cookie cutter, cut use it on both slices, switch out the centers.
b. Cutouts. This works well if your filling is not very liquidy, or if you use a small cutter. Multiple small cutters can be used to make a scene.
c. Embossing. Press cookie cutters into the bread, but do not cut all the way through, or, if you do, do not pull the cuts out of the bread.
d. Stamping. You can simply dip cutters into something that is a color that contrasts with your bread, but will taste good with the filling. Press firmly into bread.
2. Apples
You could use other fruit, but this works best, in my experience, with apples. Or maybe I just always pack apples for my children.
Cut slices as usual, Save a large part with the peel. Use a cookie cutter to cut a slice out of the apple, and do the same with an apple slice from the center. Switch the pieces.
3. Sticky Rice.
You may want to spray the cutters lightly with oil. Then put on your plate, and press sticky rice into the cutter. Remove the cutter, and you have a fun reminder of the parsha! Works really well with larger cutters.
4. Tofu
When making a stir-fry, cut one or more piece for each plate in a related way. You can make this as dinner, or make a whole scene for a bento lunch! No waste… the cut out part is the rest of the meal.
5. Pancakes
Make sure you use large cutters that can be heated and will not ruin your pan (I use a cast iron pan, so stainless steel on it is just fine). Spray with oil, pour batter in the cutters, and cook! After the first side is cooked, remove the cutter and flip the pancake to cook the other side. Try not to use much batter; it will end up raw and lose its shape when flipped.
6. Cookies!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, that is also allowed!
WHAT CUTTERS SHOULD I USE?
Think about whether you want to jump in or start slowly, and how you will use the cutters. Will you be making large cookies that show one image, cutting outlines into bread, or using tiny cutters to create scenes?
You can plan and buy everything at once, or start slowly and see if you like this way of reinforcing things. If going slowly, I recommend starting out with a nativity scene. No kidding… they generally come with people, angels, camels, and tents, and the very least, so are a terrific starting point.
But if you want to plan ahead, here are scenes and/or images I recommend for each parsha:
| Genesis / Breishit | Exodus / Shmot | Leviticus / Vayikra | Numbers / Bamidbar | Deuteronomy / Dvarim |
| Bereishit In the first parsha of the Torah, G-d creates the world. You may want to have a different shape each day, based on the first day, second day, etc. Or use round cutters to make the earth. Or a man and woman. Or sun, moon, and/or stars. Or animals, any type at all. Or plants… whatever. | Shmot Burning bush | Vayikra Sheep and/or a goat… for a sacrifice | Bamidbar Every tribe had its own flag. | Devarim The fifth book. |
| Noach This parsha has two main stories: one is the Noah’s ark one: think ark, animals 2-by-2, dove, mountain, or rainbow. The other is the tower of babel. So… a tall building? | Va’eira The first three plagues appear in this parsha: Blood, Lice, and Frogs. Make people with black sesame seed lice! Or go with frogs… they are cuter. | Tzav Aaron and his sons, the Kohanim, dressed for work. | Naso | V’etchanan Moses speaks to us from the mountain. |
| Lech Lecha Abraham is promised that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. So maybe lots of little stars. | Bo Locusts (yes, they call it grasshopper on the cookie cutter web site) | Shmini Make sure your fish have fins and scales! | Be’halot’cha Cloud? Fire? Smoke? On a building? Up to you! | Eikev What are the seven species native to Israel? Wheat and barley Figs Dates Grapes Pomegranates Olives |
| Vayeira | Beshalach We were chased by chariots pulled by horses! | Tazria | Shlach Of course, the spies brought back a cluster of grapes! | Re’eh |
| Chayei Sarah Camels work great! | Yitro G-d took us out of Egypt as on the wings of eagles! | Metzora | Korach Which looks most like an almond blossom to you? | Shoftim A king must keep a Torah with him at all times, and learn as much as possible. |
| Toldot Why not a cauldron for the lentil soup? Contrast with Eisav’s arrow. | Mishpatim If your neighbor’s donkey is falling under its load, help! | Acharei Mot The two goats… | Chukat Red heiffer time! | Ki Tetzei Do not take an egg from a nest while the mother is there! Shoo her away! Though… I am pretty sure this does not apply to chickens… need to check… |
| Vayetzei Camels again… we can make lots of use of camels! | Trumah Make a Menorah! | Kedoshim Trees must be allowed to grow for three years before we take their fruit (only in Israel). | Balak The magician Balak rides on his donkey, but is blocked by an angel wielding a sword! | Ki Tavo Don’t forget to bring your basket of first fruits to the Temple! |
| Vayishlach The brothers finally make peace. Maybe a peace symbol? Or an angel… after all, that is how Israel got its name! | Tetzaveh The Kohanim had their special outfits, even those who were not Kohen Gadol. | Emor | Pinchas | Nitzavim Star of David… as we will be gathered from all corners of the world… |
| Vayeshev Joseph gets his coat. | Ki Tisa | Behar Redeeming your home if forced to sell it. | Matot | Vayelech We must gather together every years to hear the Torah read! |
| Mikeitz Benjamin was framed… the golden goblet was put in his bag on Joseph’s orders! | Vayakhel Wise-hearted women…. | Bechukotai | Masay | Ha’azinu Sing a song… |
| Vayigash Get the family together again! | Pekudei Menorah..again | V’Zot HaBracha | ||
| Vayechi Joseph’s body is put in a coffin, ready to take when we leave Egypt again. |