Just Chilling

"Yo folks, the Monti here. I'm just laying here, doing the Shabbat thing. I'm just chillin'" 

Thankgiving and Shabbat

When I saw this picture, it made me smile, because Shabbat is a weekly Thanksgiving meal.
We give thanks that we reach the end of the work week; we are thankful for home and family and the blessings we enjoy. We give thanks for the Torah and for the Creator Who has given us all we enjoy.. Yes, I know that Thanksgiving is a National Holiday where the nation stops to give thanks.
But each Friday evening, Jews around the world do the same thing.
Thanksgiving and Shabbat share the same message; in this busy, crazy world, we need to take a break from it all. And for twenty-four hours, just slow down.
Breath. Enjoy good food and friends. Enjoy family and Torah. Shut out the world and just be.
Both days remind us to remember all our blessings come from.
I remember 13 years ago, I remember spending Thanksgiving at Sentara Norfolk Hospital. My mother had three strokes in three week time and I had to feed mother her turkey dinner. I remember the doctor telling me not to expect her to survive.
 13 years later, yesterday, mummie sat our dinner table, holding Monti as she fed him turkey.
 I remember eight years ago this month, we received the news Mark had cancer and we entered into the fight of our lives.
Eight years later, yesterday, my beloved who is cancer free, helped me clean up the kitchen from the meal we prepared for my mother.
Tonight, our shabbat meal will be simple, but for the next twenty-four hours we will shut out the world and enjoy each other, our little dog, Torah and the Presence of our Creator
Shabbat Shalom.
 

Rest: The Meaning of Shabbat

Shalom:
Shabbath; Rest. To do nothing but enjoy G-d, Torah, good food, family and friends.

A new week has begun. Tomorrow laundry has to be done, more boxes unpacked. Taking Monti to the Doggie Park to visit his friends. Mark prepares for another week of work and I start on a new writing project. Preparing for my mother's visit later in the week.
But today was Shabbath. The Day of rest.
No, this isn't a Jewish thing, but G-d's gift to Mankind. We call it an island of time; where for twenty-four hours, we step out of this world and join G-d's.
Today I had to make my beloved rest. He has been on the go so much, he just couldn't slow down! And that isn't good for anyone.
I made my husband stay sleep in. When we finally got up, we enjoyed coffee and doughnuts in bed, talking, laughing and playing with Monti. And Monti was so happy to have Mark home! Little M followed big M around the house, making sure daddy didn't get out of his sight.
Watching my beloved asleep in my arms, his body void of stress or tension.
This is the true meaning off Shabbath, Not doing.
Just being.
Resting in the arms of loved one. Resting in the arms of G-d.

 

Shabbath Shalom

From my favorite artist, Alex Levin, Shabbath Shalom:

 

Shalom:
I have been requested several times for a Challah recipe, for this evening, I am writing out one of my favorites.

This recipe makes two loaves.
1. 6 1/2 cups flour ( I shift my)
2.3 TB sugar
3. 1 1/2 tsp salt
4. 4 package dry active yeast
5. 2 cup butter or margarine, softened
6. A pinch powdered saffron
7. 1 cup warm water (120-130'F) warm, not hot.
8. 1/2 honey
9. 4 eggs at room temperature
10. 1tsp cold water
I have a special spice mixture that gives will remind you of the temple: a 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, cinnamon, of almond oil and blood orange oil. It is is added with the honey.
Take care that the waater for the yeast is warm, not hot. If the water is too hot, it will "cook" the yeast and the challah will not rise fully and made your challah denes.
After you wash your hands (this is a holy work) you want to combine 1 1/4 cups of flour, the sugar, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Mix in the softened butter and honey. Stir the saffron into the warm water until it dissolves.
Add a little at a time to the flour mixture and blend thoroughly. Beat for 2 minutes with an electric mixer and medium speed, scraping the bowl occasionally. (I prefer mixing by hand)
* at this time, if you wish, you can add chocolate chips, raisins, dry fruits bites like cranberries, apples, etc*
 Separate the yolk and white of one egg.
 Blend the single egg white and the other 3 whole eggs into the batter. Reserve the single egg yolk. Stir 1/2 cup of flour into the batter and beat at high speed for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally. Blend in enough additional flour to make a soft dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured board about 8 to 10 minutes or until it is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning it once to grease the top. Cover and allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft free, darken place for one hour. Your dough will double in size.
After one hour, you want to knead your dough again. I usually rub a couple drops of olive oil on the dough to help keep it moist. Flour bread broad lightly and set the dough on it.
 Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Divide each portion into 2 pieces, using 1/3 of the dough for one piece, and 2/3 of the dough for the other. Divide the large piece into 3 equal portions. Roll each of these into 12 inch ropes. Braid the ropes together tightly, using your fingers to press the dough together at the ends. Divide the smaller piece into 3 equal portions. Roll each of these into 10 inch ropes and braid tightly. Place the smaller braid on top of the larger one and seal the ends. Repeat this process to form the second loaf.
Place both braided loaves on a greased baking sheet. Mix the reserved single egg yolk with the 1 tsp of cold water and brush the top of the loaves with the mixture. Sprinkle with poppy seeds or raisins and let the loaves rise until double in bulk in a warm draft free place (approximately one hour). Bake in a 400' over for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on wire racks.

A Quiet Shabbbat

Shalom:
It is evening now in the Reel house.
Mark is sreading over one of his beloved science books. He is now tutoring two students in sciences and he loves it.
I am catching up with some blogging. Events of the past several weeks have left  me with a hit and miss and I hope to correct that.

Today Mark and I attended services at Temple Isreal here in Norfolk. The service began at 9:30 am and we sat right behind my hebrew teacher. Four of her students showed up for service and she was thrilled. Her father is the rabbi and he welcomed us all.
The service was wonderful and moving for me. While the service is often at parts in english, it is mostly in hebrew and frankly is helpful in learning of the holy tongue. The air was filled an awe, an holiness; you knew where you stood was holy and not to be taken lightly. I don't mean a quaking in your shoes and your going to be striken with death if you smiled, just an awareness, you knew beforw Who you stood.
After lunch and a nice talk with friend, Mark and I came home and took a nice long nap.
The house was quiet, peaceful.
My soul was quiet. I laid with my head upon my husband's chest, listening to his heartbeat. That is shabbat.
Mark began to stroke my hair and said: "These are the moments I like for."
Me too.

we delight in your shabbat batya segal

Shalom:
This is one of our favorite songs, one that we play in our home as we prepare to welcome the Shabbat.
One of the beautiful things about Shabbat is we don't have to wait a year to celebrate. We give and recieve gifts, have special foods, gather with our loved ones and dress up weekly.
Our weekly date night with the Creator and our beloved.
Ah Sabbat; your just a few hours away.