Nourishing body and soul

 
First hallot and first bread baked after Pesah.

For the refuah of my friend Liora Leah bat Tova, for our relative Devorah bay Nisa Etel, for all the thousands of Israeli wounded, for all of Israel, for the refuah of this very broken world.

Since October 7th it feels like we've baked more hallah then I can ever remember us baking, vast quantities that are used or handed out, not hallot to stock the freezer.

Hallah isn't just bread in Jewish tradition, there is a mystical spiritual element to the act of making hallah, especially in a quantity large enough to take a symbolic biblical tithe with a special blessing.

Baking bread as a spiritual act is deeply embedded in Jewish culture, a connection to the divine concept of creation, of providing the most basic sustenance for both the body and the soul.

Making hallah is a time to pray for the sick and the injured in body and soul, for peace, for mercy on the world, for health, for the well being of our loved ones, for the safety of our children and all the world's children.

The custom is so ingrained in our society that it is more of a cultural phenomenon than a religious one, there is an aspect of folk religion, a comforting practice that comes from ordinary lay people, from families, from communities just gathering together for solace and hope.

Much of the hallah baked goes to those in need, including those in need of emotional support, a comforting food hug to show the many many shattered souls they are not alone. Something to nourish the body and the soul together.

Taking the break from baking over Pesah this year more than any other felt like we were remiss in something.

Baking hallah is something ordinary folks can do in all this turmoil around us, in a world that seems to have veered so violently off course from the one most of us were raised to expect. Something we can do to bring a little warmth and solace in to this broken world. It feels like a drop in a vast ocean of tears, but hopefully it's something.