Friday, April 19, 2013

Shabbat shalom

More than just bread
London, ON
February 2013
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My wife can turn virtually any set of ingredients into a magical meal. Thanks to her, we eat incredibly well.

There's more to it, however. It isn't simply about sitting down at the dining room table and eating. It's the way she's made the kitchen her domain, the way whatever she's doing in the kitchen plays in the rest of the house, the way everything smells, sounds and feels as we get ready to end the week.

As you can imagine, Friday nights are a big deal in our home, a time for us to linger a little longer over dinner, to look back at the week that was, to look ahead to a couple of days of simply being a family, without the intrusions of the week getting in the way.

At first glance, this loaf of challah looks like any other, some egg bread that'll make some pretty decent toast when we wake up on Saturday morning. In reality, it's so much more, a handmade testament to what makes our house a home, and one of the reasons why I wish we could take days like this and hold onto them for just a little longer.

Your turn: how do you mark the end of the week?

4 comments:

sage said...

I have always been envious of the Jewish sabbath traditions. I remember it from a kid when I saw Fiddler on the Roof. Later, as an adult, I read Abraham Heschel's "Sabbath" which is a wonderful book that I have gone back to time and again to enjoy. Thanks for sharing.

Cloudia said...

Right back at you, cousin!

Time to light the candles


ALOHA
from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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Unknown said...

Carmi: I have an Aunt who's home feels this way to me whenever I visit her. There is so much love in the kitchen, and many memories of great conversations.

Michèle et Jean-Claude said...

I love making bread and I am going to try a challah loaf! Thanks for the inspiration!