FOOD ART AND FAMILY FUN - BAKING BREAD

(From the recipe collection of Sheila Gail Landgraf)

If you read my article titled COME AS A CHILD - THE THREE TRAITS OF SARAH, you might have a desire to start baking bread; especially the Hebraic bread known as Challah.  This is the bread recommended for the Sabbath and special occassions during the Hebraic year. 

Here is the best recipe I've found for making Challah.  It is not my recipe; it comes from a wonderful cookbook called "Cookng For The King."  It has great tips for pondering the mysteries of God as you bake your bread.  When you see the word "Hashem" that is the Jewish way of saying "The Name Of God."  The Jewish people are very careful about how they say God's name, they do not want to misuse it or misquote it, so they say "Hashem" which means "the name of God" and they visualize the proper way they write it when they say Hashem.  

Emuna is the ability to see God's presence in all you do with unwaivering faith.  It is a gift that is enhanced with study and meditation and prayer.  It is a faith not based on reason, but it goes deeper when reason confirms it.  This was one of Sarah's (wife of Abraham) greatest personality traits.

Torah is the first five books of your Bible. 

Mitzvos are actions that we take to keep God's Commandments in our lives.

K'lal Yisrael simply means "all the people of Israel."  Many Christians today have come to think of this meaning "All of God's People."

Neshama simply means "spirit."


Happy baking!


BAKING BREAD:

1 and 1/2 cups sugar 
4 tablespoons yeast 
5 pounds flour
1 cup vegetable oil
4 tablespoons Kosher salt (3T in Israel) 
1 egg, beaten

Water is compared to Torah.
May our home be a warm environment, conducive for Torah growth.
Think of the sweetness that having faith and trust in Hashem brings.
May we have emuna that Hashem is constantly at our side.

Yeast is the fuel for the bread's growth. 
May our desire to come close to Hashem by doing his will
fuel our growth.

Flour gives substance to bread in the same way Torah and mitzvos give substance to our lives.

Oil was used to anoint the king into serving as leader of the Jewish people. As you pour, say the name of each family member and think of their noble qualities.  May they use them well to serve Hashem and k'lal Yisrael.

Salt keeps the yeast growth in check, preventing the dough from over inflation and collapse.

We remove a bit of salt to remind us that, while we must give rebuke to help our loved ones grow properly, may we have the wisdom to withhold our full force.

Torah and mitzvos, like water and flour, require work to become fully integrated. As you mix and knead, the dough changes from loose to raggy, then smooth and substantive. Now is an opportune time to think of those in need of our prayers and ask Hashem to bless them with health, children, success, a suitable match and peace.

Our neshama, like the dough, flourishes in a place of warmth and stillness. Just as the bowl is covered, our growth is not always visible. Oiling the bowl reduces friction and helps the dough to rise. May we help our loved ones by giving them warmth and understanding.


G-d, King of the Universe Who has sanctified us and commanded us to separate challah.


This challah recipe makes eight 1 pound loaves.  Wrap well to freeze for up to 1 month

The Challah Recipe ~from Cooking for The King

5 cups warm water 

1. Pour the warm water into a very large mixing bowl.

2. Stir in the sugar. 

3. Sprinkle yeast over the water and stir once. Cover the bowl with a large towel. Allow to stand about 10 minutes until bubbly and frothy. 

4. Add the flour to the bowl. 

5. Pour in the oil a little at a time.

6. Measure salt. Remove and discard a small pinch of salt. Add the remainder to the flour mixture. 

7. Either in the bowl or on a clean flat surface, knead the dough until very smooth, adding small amounts of flour if the dough becomes sticky and oil if the mixture is dry. 

8. Oil the sides of the bowl, roll the dough in the oiled bowl until it is completely coated. Cover with plastic wrap. Place covered bowl in a draft free place, a closed oven is good, to rise for an hour or until doubled in bulk. 

9. When the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Uncover, punch gently in the center with your fist, the dough will deflate. Take challah.

Taking Challah: 

If your dough contains 5 pounds of flour and the majority of the liquid in your recipe is water, you will safely be able to separate challah with a blessing. Before taking challah say:

“Baruch a-tah A-do-nai E-lo-hay-nu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher kid-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tav, v’tzi-va-nu l’haf-rish challah.”

Blessed are You, Lord our God,
King of The Universe 
Who hath commanded us to take the Challah

Remove an egg-sized piece of dough and say

“Ha-ri-zeh challah” (This is challah)

In Temple times, the separated portion, the challah, was given to the Kohain . The Kohanim were deeply involved in their service in the Temple, and were therefore unable to fully provide for their families. Hashem commanded us to give His portion, challah, among other gifts, to the Kohanim. This ensured their sustenance as they performed their holy work on our behalf.

Today, the Temple remains central to our identity as a people. Observing the mitzvah of hafrashat challah, then and now, establishes a bond between the people and the Kohanim. We immortalize this interdependence when we remove this piece of challah dough, burn it and dispose it in an honorable way.

We, like the Kohanim, depend on Hashem for physical sustenance in order to perform our mission in life

By taking challah, we recognize that the source of our sustenance and strength is from the King of the Universe, our loving Father.

Whether you use the ingredients in this challah recipe, bake from one of your own or patronize your local bakery, we recognize that everything we have is from the open, loving, merciful hand of Hashem.

10. Shape dough into eight loaves. You can also make other breads with a challah recipe. Place shaped breads on a baking pan lined with parchment paper or in pans coated with baking spray. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Allow to rise for 30 minutes to one hour, until almost doubled. After rising, brush with beaten egg and bake 25-35 minutes until golden. Remove loaves from pans to cool on a wire rack.

active time: 45 minutes ~ total time: 3 hours 

So that is the recipe from "Baking For The King."  All across the land women of God (Jewish and some Christians) are baking Challah before Sabbath - you may or may not realize this.  As they bake they are reminded of God's blessings to their families.  They are praying for their families as they bake.  They are remembering that a portion of everything given to them by God should be shared with others, especially those who are ministering to God in his Holy Temple.  Women all across the world - baking the Challah - are reminded, like Sarah baking in her tent, that all substance for a good life comes from God and emminate out to His people.  They are bringing the Glory of God into their homes.  

All material prosperity has the potential to be elevated.  Sarah did this as she baked the bread for her family in her tent.  We can find proper expression for all work by using it for a Godly purpose and offering thanks to God as we participate.