10

DIET STANDOFF

EARLY IN THE EVENING, THE exiled servants were called to the first meal in six weeks not prepared by the Babylonian army field cooks. Daniel was eager to finally have tasty food in abundance. However, his heart was heavy regarding the meal. As he walked with the others along the third level walkway to the servants’ dining room, he began feeling convicted about the Jewish dietary laws. Certainly, the boys had eaten whatever was served to them during their march to Babylon. They had not objected, rationalizing that it was not possible to honor every Hebrew restriction in their constantly mobile state. But they also realized that much of their food had been confiscated from the Jerusalem markets and was, therefore, according to law. Now the situation was different. They were apparently in their permanent environment. The palace surely had the capability to prepare food in ways different from local custom. He cringed at the thought of raising another issue with his superiors.

The young men were positioned three and four to a table according to their room assignments. Daniel and his three companions were seated on the front row. Ashpenaz entered the room and stood before the hungry group.

“You are about to enjoy a long-awaited meal after your many days of travel. Tonight’s food will be typical of your daily evening menu. It is the king’s wish that all of us in the palace enjoy the same food he enjoys, even the servants. He insists every person in his court be healthy, strong, and able to serve him at their maximum capacity. The palace chief chef prepares the same items for everyone. You will gather here each morning and evening on schedule for a hearty cuisine. At mid-day, you will receive a light fare at your places of service.”

Several servants appeared each carrying a large basin. They placed a basin at each table and poured water over each diner’s hands as they were positioned over the basin.

The servants then began serving each table, beginning with Daniel’s. He watched as a basket of thickly sliced bread, vegetables, and fruit was placed before him. So far, so good. Then came a stone platter stacked with what appeared to be beef steak and cubes of cheese covered with spices. Lastly, each preset brass cup was filled with wine from a large flask.

“We must not eat this food forbidden by the laws of Yahweh,” Daniel whispered to his tablemates.

“But we have been eating unlawful food for six weeks,” Mishael replied.

“But we never ate meat and dairy together. Most of what we ate came from Jerusalem,” Daniel said. “And even though it was not prepared by Hebrews as required by our law, we had no choice. It was eat or die of starvation. Maybe we have a choice now.”

Daniel looked around the room. None of the others appeared to have any hesitation of eating what had been place before them. They were gorging like starving animals. He didn’t feel that he could ask everyone to refrain from eating what they had been served. They all knew the Hebrew laws, and each one was accountable before Yahweh.

“I believe we should fast for ten days as we pray for Yahweh’s wisdom and favor in our threatening situation. Will you join me in eating only vegetables and fruits and drinking only water if I appeal to Ashpenaz?” Daniel asked the other three.

After a brief hesitation, they looked at each other and nodded. Daniel approached Ashpenaz privately.

“Sir, we are all extremely grateful to the king for his graciousness in serving us bountiful meals fit for royalty. However, we Hebrews have certain dietary laws commanded by our God that prevent us from eating much of what was served this evening and what will likely be served in the future.”

“Surely, you don’t reject this benevolent act by the king because of some religious preference from your past,” Ashpenaz objected, openly agitated. “You are not in Judah anymore, Daniel; you are servants in Babylon and subject to the will of King Nebuchadnezzar. Besides, I am responsible for your health and physical development. If you become lean and frail from insufficient nourishment, I would lose my position in the king’s court and likely my life. The king has no tolerance for such foolishness. You all will eat what is served and be thankful for it.”

“Very well, sir. I appreciate your hearing my concern.”

Daniel returned to his table, and Ashpenaz left the room.

“He was not willing to consider my appeal,” Daniel reported to his three friends.

“I will eat only the fruit and vegetables and be satisfied before Yahweh,” Daniel said further. “I encourage you to do the same, but that is a matter of your personal conscience and conviction before Yahweh.”

All four boys ate the small helpings of fruits and vegetables, leaving the meat, cheese, bread, and wine untouched on the table.

Daniel asked one of the servers to invite the chief chef from the kitchen to his table, so he could thank him for the food on behalf of the entire group. Moments later, the server guided the chef to the table. All four boys stood.

“You haven’t eaten,” the chef exclaimed before Daniel could say a word. “Are you not feeling well, or is this a protest?”

“Neither,” Daniel explained. “We are all grateful for the abundant delicacies. You have obviously served us a feast according to your commendable talents. It’s just that the laws of Yahweh have restrictions as to what we should and should not eat and drink. We have enjoyed your fruits and vegetables, which are the only items on this evening’s menu that were allowed for Hebrews.”

The chef looked around the room. “Those at the other tables seem to be eating everything in front of them.”

“That is their decision,” Daniel replied. “Due to our circumstances, they have rationalized compromising our laws. But the four of us remain committed to obeying Yahweh in all things.”

“Ashpenaz will not tolerate preparing different menus for you exiles,” the chef retorted. “What will be next—someone wants goat’s milk? I will not be part of a diet standoff. I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.”

“With all humility and respect, may I make one request that will, in time, resolve the issue?” Daniel asked.

With a nod from the chef, Daniel continued, “Please test your servants for ten days and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

Hananiah spoke up. “If Ashpenaz is to be judged on how we are progressing physically, he should agree on the diet that meets that objective. He will praise you for your wisdom.”

The chef was silent momentarily; then he knelt next to the boys. “I will accept the proposal; but if Ashpenaz finds out what we are doing, it will not be good for me. I will, of course, need you to explain what your dietary laws require.”

Daniel breathed a sigh of relief. “You will not be disappointed. Thank you. You have been very gracious.”

The chef listened attentively as all four boys discussed with him the requirements and restrictions of the Hebrew diet.

Before he departed, the chef had one last comment. “The food you were served tonight is the best possible for your physical development and health. Be prepared after ten days to join with the rest of your friends in enjoying the best diet the kingdom has to offer.”

After the chef left his table, Daniel turned to the other three. “Yahweh has delivered us another victory for being faithful.”

“What if we are not judged to be in better condition than the others after ten days,” Azariah asked. “Even if we are better, they could judge differently.”

“What Yahweh begins, He will finish,” Daniel replied.

The next morning began with the assistants knocking on each door of the boys’ hallway, waking them well before dawn. Each room slowly became active as the boys retrieved their clothing from their individual compartments in the shared chest. Their assigned attire consisted of tunics, cloaks, undergarments, and sandals. The clothing was designed much like they were familiar with, but the soft fabric and bright colors would take some getting used to.

While three assistants and a couple of guards waited, the boys assembled in the hallway. The last few to exit their rooms were chastised by an assistant. “You are too slow. Tomorrow, I expect everyone to be out of his room fully dressed and prepared for the morning meal in half the time of today’s formation.”

Once at their tables in the dining room, the morning meal was immediately served. Daniel noticed those serving were other young men with skin tones and facial features somewhat different from the typical Chaldean. He assumed they were fellow exiles from other conquered lands. The food placed on the table for Daniel and his three friends consisted of mixed greens, diced squash, beets, flat bread, and chalices of water. The other tables were being served slices of beef, strips of cheese, turnips, sweet bread covered with honey, and brass cups of wine.

“I trust your table’s morning fare meets the standards of your God?” the server asked in a somewhat mocking tone.

“Yes, sir, it is perfect,” Daniel responded. “We are humbly grateful. Please pass our compliments to the chef for this special accommodation.”

The lead assistant approached the boys’ table looking confused at their food. Before he could comment, Daniel stood and spoke.

“Sir, may I be allowed to reduce your time and effort of waking each room’s occupants each morning? Would you be pleased to send a guard to knock on my door at the proper time and allow me to get everyone else up, dressed, and to the dining room? We would like to demonstrate our ability to meet your expectations with the least burden possible on you.”

The assistant, clearly caught off-guard, paused momentarily, then answered, “Very well, I will consider this a test. You may conduct the morning preliminaries as you have suggested. But the first time your entire group is not at their tables at the assigned time, my men will resume that responsibility with harsher requirements.”

“Thank you, sir. You will not be disappointed.” Daniel was pleased that he had accomplished several objectives with the request. It diverted his attention from the odd food choices. It would elevate the group’s confidence in his leadership; it would avoid possible conflict between the boys and the assistants during the wake-up procedures; and it would further convince the assistants that they could expect the utmost cooperation from their exiles.

After the meal was finished, Ashpenaz entered the room, spoke briefly to the assistants and guards, then announced, “I hope you had a restful night and a hearty meal because you have a full schedule of tasks today. This schedule will be typical of each day forward. In a few moments, you will form outside the palace for physical training. Then you will return to this room to hear the plans I have made for your three-year education and indoctrination program. At mid-day, in this room, you will receive a couple of pieces of food and a drink of water. Frequently in the afternoons, you will be escorted on visits to important sites around the city. During these tours, you will experience the Chaldean culture, our history, and our plans. You will go on your first excursion outside of the palace this afternoon.”

Physical training that morning involved a very challenging race around the palace. The boys were divided into two-person teams. Each boy had to carry his partner on his back in a run that encircled the palace and returned to the starting point. Then the rider would become the runner and run the same lap with the original runner on his back. The two-person team that won by crossing the finish line first after the two laps would each receive a blue turban to wear until the next day’s competition.

Each runner ran barefoot, dressed only in his knee-length tunic. To the surprise of most of the Hebrew boys, the first team across the finish line was Daniel and Hananiah. Daniel had chosen to be the runner for the second lap, thinking he could better catch up with any team ahead of them. The strategy worked. Coming in second were Mishael and Azariah. All four of them fell to the ground, completely exhausted and gasping for air at the end of the race. The four had pushed themselves extremely hard. They were immensely competitive, particularly among themselves. This race took Daniel’s mind back to the temple school athletic games and even to their fierce competition in playing Kugelach. He tried to dispose of that memory flash, but it wouldn’t go away.

After a brief time to recover from the race, the boys were formed up into loose rows and columns for exercises. The assistant called Daniel to the front.

“Daniel will lead the exercise. I will demonstrate each exercise element; then you will follow Daniel’s movements and pace.”

After each demonstration by the assistant, Daniel copied the movements but at double the speed of the demonstration. The exercises were strenuous with the movements stretching the muscles to extreme and requiring a great deal of strength. Daniel called for everyone to voice the cadence loudly by number. Soon, the participants began to moan and grunt heavily. When the assistant called to halt each exercise event, Daniel would lead at least two more repetitions before stopping. Every boy was gasping for breath between each exercise. Grumbling ensued among the group. Finally, the assistant was satisfied with the effort and length of the exercise period and announced they had done enough for that morning. He made it clear though that he would expect improvement each day. While the assistant was talking, Daniel was jogging in place with his arms in exaggerated swings. One by one, the boys began to follow his last exercise that had not been demonstrated or directed. But almost all of them were not looking at Daniel as their heads were lowered out of exhaustion and frustration.

Back in the dining room around their respective tables, everyone’s skin was aglow with perspiration. Large, wet circles under the arms of the tunics added contrast in colors. Sweat beads were still present on the scraggly beards of the older boys, which had not yet been trimmed from the exile journey growth. The younger boys, including Daniel, were still dealing with splotchy pubescent beards not thick enough to retain perspiration. The rank smell in the room was overwhelming but ignored.