Published in The Five Towns Jewish Times, December 6, 2006

A cheese lover such as myself can’t help but get excited at the possibilities of an eight day holiday in which there is a custom to eat cheese.  With Chanukah just around the corner, it is important to understand where this custom comes from.

During the Greek rule, amongst all of the terrible decrees that were made in order to Hellenize the Jewish people, one of the most despicable was an order issued requiring all brides to have a “visit” with a Greek officer prior to their weddings.  Yehudis, the daughter of Yochanan the High Priest, and a woman of great beauty, devised a plan. She sneaked into the camp of the Greeks and arranged a meeting with Holophernes, the Greek general.  While in his tent, Yehudis fed him a salty cheese in order to induce thirst.  She gave him plenty of wine to drink until he became so drunk that he fell into a deep sleep.  Our heroine then took his sword and beheaded him, carrying his head back to Jerusalem for all to see.  As a result of her courageous plan, the Greek army became demoralized, Bnei Yisroel gained the courage to fight harder, and we became victorious over the Greeks.   

This story can also be understood on a deeper level. The miracle of the oil, with which we are all familiar, was done with pure olive oil, even though halachah would have permitted even impure oil.  Pure oil was required because Chanukah was a victory for the purity of Yiddishkeit over forces seeking to dilute it with Greek values.  Yehudis recognized that before the Maccabees could win the fight for the purity of Judaism, she needed to win the fight for the purity of Jewish women. Yehudis had a keen understanding that as long as the tznius and purity of Jewish women was being compromised, victory over our enemies was not within our grasp.  The cheese that we eat is a reminder of that fight, which continues to this day. 

Despite such a lofty track record, cheese gets a bad rap these days.  It’s too fattening, it’s too high in cholesterol, they say.  There may be some truth to this information, but before we brand a delicious (and noble!) food as pure evil, it is always helpful get the whole story.   Cheese has many healthful benefits.  Many cheeses serve as a good source of protein, calcium and vitamin A – all helpful in developing stronger muscles, bones and teeth.    And like anything, when consumed in moderation, cheese can add tremendous flavor to your cooking in addition to improving your nutrition.  According to the International Dairy Foods Association, 1.5 ounces or about 3-4 natural* cheese cubes is considered a serving size.  This is not a lot of cheese, but it is enough to give you the nutrition and taste you’re looking for. 

*”Natural” means real cheese, not American Processed Cheese Food

Very often less is more when cooking with cheese as well.  “Overcheeseing” is a good way to ruin an appetite – no one enjoys attempting to swallow a big wad of cheese, nor is it pleasant to the palate.  However, a nice little shaving of Parmesan or Pecorino can add a piquant flavor to your dish that will be an incomparable finishing touch.  Packages of pre-sliced cheese are very popular in the supermarket and convenient to use, but the sheer thickness of those slices can be overpowering in a sandwich or cooked dish; instead of enhancing your dish by adding a subtle nuance of flavor, all one tastes is a whole lot of cheese.    Try buying whole blocks of cheese and make paper-thin slices yourself – not only will your meals taste better, but you’ll cut down on unnecessary fat, expense, and waste to boot.   

There are many terrific kosher cheeses out there nowadays from all over the world. New and exotic French and Italian cheeses are being imported every year.  If you’re not ready for that, though, there are some terrific domestic cheeses that are easier on the American palate.  My new favorite is a special OU supervised run of sharp cheddar made by Cabot.  It is excellent, but only available online at www.shopcabot.com - and well worth it.  Chanukah is coming, so here’s your chance to try all of those exciting new cheesy recipes without the guilt!   

Here is flavorful recipe that can be served as an appetizer or as a salad with your main meal.  It’s extremely easy, the natural flavors really sing out and your guests will love it.