Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come forward to me."
And when they came forward, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, he whom you sold into Egypt. Now, do not be distressed or reproach yourselves because you sold me hither; it was to save life that God sent me ahead of you.
Genesis 45:4~5
(timing note: On the Cycle of weekly readings we have entered into the book of Shemot, Exodus. This post is from the last two readings from the book of Genesis!)
Chai means "life" in Hebrew.
The last parsha in the book of Genesis is called "Vayechi" and the word Vayechi means "and he lived". It is referring to the "life" of Jacob, who passes on from earthly life, and yet, like our foremother Sarah and the parsha "Chayei Sarah", which means "Life of Sarah", our righteous forefathers and mothers "live" on.
Interestingly, in the second to last parsha in the book of Genesis, which is called "Vayigash", I noticed that the Hebrew word "chai" , for "life", was appearing a lot!! According to my count I found this root word "chai" NINE times in the parsha Vayigash. That is a lot especially as Chai, like other of the deeply meaningful words like Shalom, is a word that has deep spiritual significance.
Hence, when I saw its appearance so many times, I felt moved to make a challah that expresses "Chai" or "Life'". Especially as the tribes are going down to Egypt and into a place of darkness in the readings we are in, I was inspired to make this challah at this junction between the book of Genesis and the book of Exodus. The Torah is a Torah of "Life".
When I put the word and the challah together, it also occured to me the connection to the "Bread of Life"!! Everyone who eats this challah, may they know the Bread of Life, Yeshua!
Below you can find my recent "Challah-cast" about the "Chai" Challah.
Please join me on this newest "Challah-cast" adventure if you are moved to and watch the latest upload!!
It is fun of doing the Challah-casts , "on the spot" and in the spirit--- things got a little changed from the original plan, as the dough was shaped and formed!! Enjoy and hope it blesses you and that there might be something to learn or feel free to share anything that is on your heart about the parsha or any encouraging or "life-giving" thoughts!! Blessings and Love and thank you for your visit!
Chai Chai Chai! Am Yisrael Chai!!!
Life, Life, Life, Israel nation is alive!
Adding a Life-filled link to this song, thanks to our blog friend Duta!!
CHAI!! CHAI! CHAI! AM YISRAEL CHAI!!
♡
You will teach me the path of life.
In Your presence is perfect joy;
delights are ever in Your right hand.
Psalm 16:11
תּוֹדִיעֵנִי, אֹרַח חַיִּים
שֹׂבַע שְׂמָחוֹת, אֶת-פָּנֶיךָ; נְעִמוֹת בִּימִינְךָ נֶצַח
שֹׂבַע שְׂמָחוֹת, אֶת-פָּנֶיךָ; נְעִמוֹת בִּימִינְךָ נֶצַח
♡
CHAZAK, CHAZAK, V'NITCHAZEK!
Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another!!
*Finishing the book of Genesis!
You will teach me the path of life... Amen!
ReplyDeleteAnd amen!! Sandi, I used this scripture for a prayer sheet this week, to pray for our children and loved ones,
ReplyDelete"Make known to ............. the path of life. May he/she know the abundance and joys that are in Your presence, the eternal pleasures at Your right hand."
Now I pray it in agreement for you:)
Blessings!
♡
and for your family!♡
Deleteand to all,
ReplyDeletefor you too !! :))♡ May He make it known to us all!!
How curious, I have just read this text that Joseph revealed to his brothers with the children. They find it exciting, especially when the brothers bow to Joseph, just like in his dreams.
ReplyDeleteNice that the Challah you made refers to Jesus, He is "The Bread of Life"!
Hi Hobbyloes, Blessings！ You are doing a "mitzvah" (good deed, from God's commandments!!) that you are teaching the children the stories from the Torah!! Praise God!!
DeleteWhen I read them I get excited too !!
And excited for when Yeshua's brothers too will know that He is the Bread of Life.
Blessings and Shalom!! ♡
The sound was not good when I try to watch your clip.
ReplyDeleteThe dough looks wonderful!
There's an israeli song that won the first or second prize (I don't remember) at the Eurovision song contest. The song is called "Chai, Chai,Chai, Am Israel Chai (Life, Life, Life, Israel nation is alive).
Hi Duta. Thank you for trying to watch. I will check about the sound. And thank you for sharing about the song! I don't know if its the same version, but I'm listening to it, I love it--Chai, Chai, Chai, Am Israel Chai!! Israel nation is ALIVE!! Amen!!
DeleteBlessings and Shalom!!!♡
PS DUTA, I just added a link to the song in the post, with a thanks to you, I think its the one you mentioned!?
DeleteThat bread looks so delicious. I appreciated the verse today, You will teach me the path of life, as I am on a journey of my own right now, and ask God to guide me in every way. I hope the new year is being good to you so far, my friend.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
*I smiled when I saw your comment on the era post. How interesting it would be to live in the era of Israelites. You were the only one that mentioned going that far back in time, and I thought it was so special. Thank you for your thoughts. : )
Thank you Sheri!! Blessed by your kind words and comment!! And your reply to mine, that was sweet to hear:)) So glad the scripture spoke to you today. I pray it for you!! In agreement for God to guide you in every way and show you the abundant joys in His presence!! Blessings and Shalom to you and your family!! ♡
ReplyDelete