Spiritual Baking

This might sound silly to some of you, but I actually had a rather meaningful, therapeutic Challah baking session today.

Since getting the book The Secret of Challah I've really been trying to put more meaning into each step of the process of Challah making.

The sifting of the flour, adding the ingredients (although I don't take it as far as some I've read about who sing and dance as they go, reciting Psalms and such), the mixing... I use this time to.. well, as Lt. Lenina Huxley said, "enhance my calm".

And after this week, I really needed it.

Apparently more than I thought because as I looked down into this huge bowl of dough I totally lost it. For about 5 minutes I stood there bawling my eyes out as I released the stress of the past few weeks. When I finally calmed down enough, I said the blessing for the 'taking of the challah', pulled off a piece and began punching the dough down.

I divided the dough into 6 parts, each one to be divided into strands for braiding. The first one, as I rolled the strands, was dedicated to just thanking God for everything.

The second was dedicated to asking God to help people I know realize their dream of becoming parents either for the first time or again. Two strands were dedicated to two specific couples I know and the other two were dedicated to the anonymous members of the various boards and forums.

The third and fourth were dedicated to those who needed healing - physical, mental, emotional.

The fifth was dedicated to my children.

And the final one was for my husband and myself.

I wonder if it will taste different this week...

Reisheet Chag HaGez is a sheep shearing festival celebrated in biblical times, traditionally done in the spring (usually Issru Chag Shavuot). A portion was then tithed to the Kohanim, as it is written in Dvarim, 18:4 "The first-fruits of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep, shall you give him (the Kohanim and Leviim)".

Maale Levona was the first place to resurrect this ancient celebration and this year the Kohain who received the portion of the fleece was haRav Dov Bigon, founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Machon Meir. Towards the end of the slide show, the other man standing next to him is Rav Yair Shachor, Rav of Maale Levona.

Chag haGez - Fiber Arts Festival!

“Chag HaGez” in Maale Levona*
Tuesday, July 1, 2007
28 Sivan 5768

Starting at 16:00

Program:
Sheep Shearing
Spinning
Weaving
Dyeing
Children Activities
Pony Rides
Refreshments for sale
Arts and Crafts for sale
New this year – Kite flying, cheese making and a drumming circle!

Musical performance by the Nataf Brothers

For more info or to reserve a spot on the bus please call Mina Brody at 052-6070384 before June 29th.

Chag Sameach!

Maale Levona will be hosting residents from Sderot and Netzarim.

* Chag HaGez is a sheep shearing festival celebrated in biblical times, traditionally done in the spring. A portion was then tithed to the Kohanim, as it is written in Dvarim, 18:4 " The first-fruits of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep, shall you give him (the Kohanim and Leviim)".

Maale Levona was the first place to resurrect this ancient celebration and a Kohain will be given a portion of the fleece.

Pick a pepper

Line of Sand

Tuesday morning I came downstairs to see dozens of large black ants moving their anthill from somewhere outside to somewhere inside. After spraying the ants with insecticide, I poured a line of talcum powder by my front door which stopped any more from coming in that way.

I love the 'committee meeting' going on in the right-hand side of the photo... It's like they're trying to decide what to do now...

Birthday Boy

Someone had his first birthday yesterday...

Rite of Passage

Just days shy of his first birthday, NS has his first taste of Bamba (and his first taste of anything peanut).

Half an hour

View North-East...
Half an hour later, the view towards the south-east.

I have to say that particular cloud was really cool....

Yom haZikaron - Memorial Day

As the siren sounded, we took two minutes to remember our fallen heroes and those who fell victim to terror.

Loop-Dee-Loop

Not sure what they're called but I imagine they're Israel's version of the Blue Angels.

Tonight marks the beginning of Memorial Day for the IDF's fallen soldiers and then Wednesday night marks the beginning of Israel's 60th Independence Day.

These planes are either for memorial services or for celebratory happenings in Jerusalem.

Today I caught them practicing.

Schlissel Challah

This one is in the shape of a key. Another has a key baked into it.

Everything's coming up roses

The dog did it

Parts 2 and 3

About 10 kilo of apples.
Applesauce and stewed pears.

Possibilities

Part 1 of a series....

The empty containers.

Days of Wine and Roses

Just up from the bottom, you can see the beginnings of a cluster of grapes.

Thistle while you work

Squeaky Clean

Man, I hope he grows into them ears...

Chametz Boy!

Look up in the sky! No, behind the bookcase... in the toy chest...

Other side of sunset

An eastern-facing view at sunset.