Blessings of the Challah
This braided loaf for the Shabbat and festivals is common among our Messianic
communities. Only the Middle Eastern Jews do not have a braided loaf of bread for
Shabbat and festivals.
Normally, two loaves are baked at once, covered and put on the Erev Shabbat table,
until the blessings are said and the meal is about to start. The two loaves remind us of the double portion of
manna that the L-rd provided our people on Shabbat coming out of Egypt. We remember our Father provides
for our needs today, just as he has throughout the generations. Either of these symbolic recollections are
common in the challah tradition and Shabbat tradition.
Challah is often fancily braided in 3, 7, 10 or 12 strands, but a simple 3-stranded braid is used here. Braiding
helps break it apart easily into reasonable serving portions. An especially big Challah shaped with several
braids of different sizes is baked for weddings, bar or bat mitzvahs, or other celebrations; sometimes it's
sugar-glazed, decorated with seed sprinkles or raisins are added to the dough. During the New Year a round
Challah is made from a single, long strip of dough that is wound into a tight spiral shape to represent the
continuing cycle of the years.
Uncover the Challah and say:
This braided loaf for the Shabbat and festivals is common among our Messianic
communities. Only the Middle Eastern Jews do not have a braided loaf of bread for
Shabbat and festivals.
Normally, two loaves are baked at once, covered and put on the Erev Shabbat table,
until the blessings are said and the meal is about to start. The two loaves remind us of the double portion of
manna that the L-rd provided our people on Shabbat coming out of Egypt. We remember our Father provides
for our needs today, just as he has throughout the generations. Either of these symbolic recollections are
common in the challah tradition and Shabbat tradition.
Challah is often fancily braided in 3, 7, 10 or 12 strands, but a simple 3-stranded braid is used here. Braiding
helps break it apart easily into reasonable serving portions. An especially big Challah shaped with several
braids of different sizes is baked for weddings, bar or bat mitzvahs, or other celebrations; sometimes it's
sugar-glazed, decorated with seed sprinkles or raisins are added to the dough. During the New Year a round
Challah is made from a single, long strip of dough that is wound into a tight spiral shape to represent the
continuing cycle of the years.
Uncover the Challah and say:
Challah recipe ...It's good and its easy to make.
4½ C BREAD flour (Bread flour has more gluten, if you use regular flour
you could add 1½ T gluten)
1 Egg + enough water to = 1½ C
2 t Salt
2 T Sugar (More if you like sweeter bread)
¼ C Butter
2 t Yeast
Add ingredients to breadmaker in the order specified by bread manufacturer and mix on the dough setting. Take
the mixture out and divide into 3, 7, 10 or 12 pieces. Form into rolled strips to braid into loaf. Place on cookie
sheet. Let rise for 45 minutes or until doubled. Wash with egg wash to make traditional sheen on baked loaf.
Bake at 375F for 25 minutes. Cool on racks.
Egg wash:
2 Egg yolks
2T Water
4½ C BREAD flour (Bread flour has more gluten, if you use regular flour
you could add 1½ T gluten)
1 Egg + enough water to = 1½ C
2 t Salt
2 T Sugar (More if you like sweeter bread)
¼ C Butter
2 t Yeast
Add ingredients to breadmaker in the order specified by bread manufacturer and mix on the dough setting. Take
the mixture out and divide into 3, 7, 10 or 12 pieces. Form into rolled strips to braid into loaf. Place on cookie
sheet. Let rise for 45 minutes or until doubled. Wash with egg wash to make traditional sheen on baked loaf.
Bake at 375F for 25 minutes. Cool on racks.
Egg wash:
2 Egg yolks
2T Water
English Liturgy:
Blessed are thou, L-rd our G-d,
King of the universe,
who brings forth bread from the earth.
Blessed are thou, L-rd our G-d,
King of the universe,
who brings forth bread from the earth.
Hebrew Liturgy:
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu
Melech ha'olam,
hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz.
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu
Melech ha'olam,
hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz.
 |
| Shalom Aleichem! |
Translate this page:
Can't find it here?
| Tacoma's premier Messianic Congregation, serving Tacoma since 1991. Yeshua (Jesus) is the KING of kings and LORD of lords. |
Congregation T'shuvat Yisrael
| "Balancing the Goodness of Torah with the Grace and Mercy of Messiah" |
| Listen to Rabbi Bob |
| Sunday Mornings 10:30AM - 11:00AM |