02/21/2025
I baked Challah for Shabbos today. I don't usually, but today I made sure to. Today was the 22nd of the Jewish month of Shvat, the Yartzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson. She's the wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and she is a queen to me. I wanted to connect to her and channel the blessings of this day for my family and community.
What could be a better way to feel close to someone who is the embodiment of wholesome femininity, than to bake challah?
To separate some challah dough before baking is one of the three Mitzvos special to women. In Hebrew it's called Hafrashat Challah. This mitzvah to bake challah is quite unique in that it offers a full sensory experience of making a dough from scratch. A blend of the holy and mundane in one delicious batch of challah.
I don't want this post to be tone deaf. Today was a difficult day for Jews. We're feeling outraged! So why do I get to share a flowerly challah post?
Well let me tell you that tonight, the 23rd of Shvat, is my daughter's, Shaina Mushka, birthday.
Shaina Mushka is named for the Rebbetzin. Because of Ashkenazik customs, I couldn't use the Rebbetzin's first name so I took her sister Shaina's name instead.
Shaina Horowitz was murdered by N***s in the Holocaust. Her story is our nation's story, one of tragedy and pain. Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, her name means - enjoy life.
My Shaina Mushka's name represents to me the paradox of the stage we find ourselves in. Deep in exile and yet on the cusp of the complete Redemption. We're at a time where we experience both exile and redemption. We hold pain, it's not like we're even given a choice. And we dare to taste the redemption. We take the Rebbetzin's advice and even when it hurts, we "Enjoy life".
Candle lightning time in Laramie is 5:26 pm. Another mitzvah given to women.
More information:
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/87131/jewish/How-to-Light-Shabbat-Candles.htm
Gut Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom
Malkie Raskin
