Purim gives our readers a chance to unload their questions, concerns, and commentary
Dear Dovi & Yehuda,
As a mother navigating the aisles of my local kosher grocery store, I find myself increasingly dismayed by the soaring prices. I’m turning to you, as historians of the prewar era, because I’m curious to learn how frum families dealt with similar issues back then.
My readings have immersed me in their struggles with parnassah, shidduchim, and occasional shul politics, revealing that our challenges haven’t changed much over the years. Yet it strikes me that people in these historical accounts rarely lament the cost of everyday necessities, such as spare ribs, parmesan cheese, or simple Shabbos takeout (the thought of which evokes cravings for authentic Hungarian delis of the past.)
Can you enlighten me on the strategies they employed to mitigate their financial burdens, and possibly suggest how we might apply those lessons today? I find myself exasperated and disheartened every time I tally a grocery bill.
Sincerely,
Mindy from Monsey
Dear Mindy,
Thank you for sending such an interesting question. It’s plausible that our ancestors were too busy with dawn-till-dusk endeavors like drawing water, milking cows, and plucking feathers, to have time to air grocery grievances.
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