Ten eager women gathered around the table. A giant bag of flour served as the centerpiece, along with bags of sugar and yeast, various sets of measuring cups and spoons, and large mixing bowls. With sleeves pushed up, we had come to learn about the ancient tradition of bread-making.....but this was not just any bread were about to make.....this was a challah bread-baking lesson! Many spiritual lessons are woven into the tradition of baking challah bread.
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| Separating the dough. |
After the kneading process came a small, but greatly significant step.....the act of separating a small portion of dough from the lump. Separating the dough is called
"hafrashat challah" in Hebrew, and herein lies the source from which challah bread gets its name. A small portion of dough is to be set aside, 'wasted' and burned up unto the LORD according to his commanded instructions. This reminder portion signifies our desire to give what we have to the LORD. Like a tithe given in obedience and trust, this offering is dedicated to the LORD in acknowledgement that all we have is a gift from him.
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| The reminder portion. |
The Jewish tradition of baking challah bread dates back 3,500
years when the LORD spoke to Moses saying, "Speak to the people of
Israel and say to them, 'When you come into the land to which I bring
you, and when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall present a
contribution to the LORD.....
Some of the first of your dough you shall
give to the LORD as a contribution throughout your generations.'"
Numbers 15:18,19,21
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| We divided the lump into six portions. |
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| We formed six strands. |
Next, we divided the remainder of our dough into six equal parts. Each of these parts we rolled out into long coils. We were taught that these six strands symbolized, among other things, the six days of creation, from which man was separated and set apart.....like the challah. As we wove the individual strands together into one, with the guidance of our leader, we were able to achieve beautifully braided loaves which are representative of the unity that exists within creation and within the body of believers.
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| Beginning a six-stranded braid. |
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| Braiding lessons. |
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| I was thrilled with my beautiful braid! |
With the aroma of fresh bread filling the air, the table was set for a meal together. We were about to experience a taste of
Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner, which
begins at sundown on Friday evening. Ideally as
Shabbat begins, work has
halted, the table is set, the food is ready, and candles are lit to
welcome the most sacred day of the week. The keeping of this day is
a perpetual covenant. It's a weekly reminder that God ceased from the work of creation on the seventh day. It's a time to assemble
together for worship and rejoicing, and it's a time to prepare our hearts for
the coming kingdom of heaven when all our striving will cease.
The two loaves, which traditionally grace the table at a
Shabbat dinner, bring to mind the LORD's heavenly provision of a double-portion of manna for the Israelites on the day before the Sabbath. This double-portion of bread from heaven granted God's people a day of rest on the seventh day. The twelve strands are also representative of God's chosen people - the twelve tribes of Israel. In connection with this, the twelve strands recall the twelve loaves that were replaced on the Table of Showbread in the tabernacle and in the Temple each Sabbath.
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| Delicious challah - infused with tradition and symbolism. |
Prophetically, challah bread points to the Messiah who came as Bread from Heaven. Born in Bethlehem (literally - House of Bread), he is our Bread of Life, our true and lasting sustenance. Like the little piece of dough that is wasted, burned up, and given to the LORD, the Savior gave his life as an offering. He took our punishment for sin and tasted death so that we could taste Life.
Like challah, believers are called to be separate and dedicated unto the LORD. Like Yeshua (Jesus), we are called to offer our bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God . When challah is served, each person pulls apart a portion for himself. This is a reminder that we as believers are bonded together in love. We are the body of Messiah.
Jesus answered, “I am the bread which is life! Whoever comes to me will never
go hungry, and whoever trusts in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35
Yeshua the Messiah - He is our taste of heaven!
*Challah bread recipes vary and can be braided
into many different shapes and forms to celebrate special days and feast times.
