Though nobody knows for certain whether Mother Sarah braided six strand challot in her tent, these lovely edible macrames have been featured on Ashkenazi Shabbos tables for centuries, maybe even longer. The number six is no accident. On the Shabbos table there are two loaves. That means if each one is fashioned from six strands … Continue reading
I know that this is hard to believe but the Torah doesn’t anything about blintzes or cheesecake, or cheese kreplach or even sour cream for Shavuot. The only cooked food mentioned is bread, as in the Shnei Lehem, two loaves made from the wheat of the new crop and brought to the Temple along with the … Continue reading
Yes, it is time to bake a challah in the shape of a key . This is the way I did it-play doh style but remember this is an Ashkenazi minhag, a custom, not a halacha so you have more wiggle room. Any key will do- a skeleton key, a house key, a safe deposit … Continue reading
Ah the joys of being a culinary anthropologist. When I discovered that the Sephardim insert hard boiled eggs into a bread to represent Haman’s eyes, I had to try it. The custom is to gouge out the eye/eggs at the Seuda. And who says that being Jewish isn’t fun? If this doesn’t appeal to a … Continue reading
For the past few weeks, my youngest son has had a tummy ache of the mysterious kind. Knee jerk psychologists: this ailment is not psychosomatic. I know this kid. He isn’t being bullied or abused. This is physiological but as of today, medical science hasn’t reached the root of the trouble. The standard tests turned up nothing … Continue reading
Here’s a menora made of dough.Perfect for Shabbos Hanuka
Don’t try to blow this. The Shofar Challah isn’t my invention. I got it and the other Challah shapes from Rabbi Dovid Meisel’s wonderful book “Rosh Hashana Secrets.” (Israel Bookstore Publisher). Best wishes for a sweet and wonderful new year. .
On Rosh Hashana we “coronate” Hashem. This is a crown Hallah. I know, this takes imagination. Think William and Kate. Bird Hallah. This comes from a verse In Isaiah which says Hashem will swoop down like a flying bird to do battle for us. Good to remember this week as our fate hangs in the … Continue reading
