On the Go! Pomegranates and a Chanukah Challah Story

 Always start a Chanukah Challah with pure olive oil!

Shaping a Star of David Challah (I struggled with the dough this time, but finally was victorious as you can see the shape came out well)

I just noticed, the pomegranate is like a star shape when open.  If you get one that still has the `crown` on top, you can see the top is actually a 6-pointed star,like the star of David. 

This basket of pomegranates caught my eye!  Seemingly just casually there but I knew the One who  intentionally put it there!

... oh how the pomegranate is a fruitful blessing for all who will enjoy it!

From one vial of olive oil, and look what happens next!

‘Josef’ and names of the 12 tribes embroidered in Hebrew on the challah cover 

A little bit is oil goes a long way in a Chanukah Challah

Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates with the choicest of fruits, with henna and nard,

Song of Songs 4:13

 
Around this time of the year just around Chanukah,
I start to see pomegranates showing up in the supermarket here in Japan.  Once I noticed that,  I became excited because pomegranates are one of the 7 species of the land of Israel.  I started to watch for them in a particular spot each year at this time, and I saw that God  was indeed sending me pomegranates for Chanukah!

So now here we are this year, a week before Chanukah! 

There it was, the pomegranate delivery ~ one little basket of them in the fruit section!
It was an intimate moment in this big supermarket.   I knew God put them there for me, in a basket that hardly anyone would notice but He knew I would.  And He said, Here, take one, take a couple.  It’s almost Chanukah! Yes, these pomegranates are for you! 

I decided I would make a Chanukah Challah to bring to my daughter in Tokyo on the way to the US, so we can have a time of celebration and make a blessing for Chanukah! That is the `on the go` part of the story! I will be going back to the US for Chanukah!

I wanted to make a Star of David Challah with pomegranate in it, but I had a bit of a struggle with the dough (it was in the parsha of Vayigash where Jacob struggles with the angel, somehow it made sense that I was struggling with this Dough!).  After all I was able to do one in the shape of a Star of David, and then separately made a small Pomegranate Challah.

As it was for Chanukah, I focused on the olive oil which in my recipe is the first ingredient to go in. As you know, at Chanukah we celebrate the miracle of the oil lasting 8 nights and the miracle of the victory of the small group of the Maccabees who stood up to the Greek and Syrian army of Antiochus who had taken over and desecrated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.   At that time the Jewish people were being forced to assimilate and prohibited from observing the Torah.  Only a small group stood up and would not bow down to the ways of the Greek~~and God gave them the Victory!

A pomegranate can be seen as representing Torah as it contains 613 seeds said by the Jewish sages to represent the 613 commandments.  I also see connections with Joseph, as we always read the parashot about Joseph during Chanukah,  who was righteous and who was given the blessing of a fruitful son and who in many ways is a picture of Messiah Yeshua.

A fruitful son is Joseph,
    a fruitful son beside a spring—
    daughters walk along a wall.

Genesis 49:22

When I poured in the oil, I thought of that one flask of oil that remained, and the way it lasted long enough to make pure oil again to keep the light burning and re-dedicate the Temple. The very Temple where Yeshua stood in Solomon`s colonnade at Chanukah, Himself the Light of the World, and still yet to be fully revealed!   May it be this Chanukah!

Then came Hanukkah; it was winter in Jerusalem. Yeshua was walking in the Temple around Solomon’s Colonnade. Then the Judean leaders surrounded Him, saying, “How long will You hold us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us outright!”     John 10:22~25

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As I am writing this post I heard something from the Holy Spirit. He reminded me of that the very first time I found a pomegranate in Japan, even before I started the Pomegranate challah, and even before I associated it with Chanukah, and with Joseph.
It was on the Shabbat of the week of my birthday that I first found one!!

I am amazed at that full circle, as this trip will be for Chanukah, my Dad’s birthday, and my birthday!! And here just at the Shabbat before that, He placed that basket of pomegranates in the supermarket 

May it be a fruitful time and season for us all as we share our deep love for the beloved Yeshua and shine His light.  May we `re-dedicate` ourselves and our families to Him! Note: Chanukah means `Dedication`.

 Now, I need to go and prepare! Blessings and Shalom.  

Receive an overflowing of pure anointing oil from the Ruach HaChodesh and let your light shine!

Shabbat Shalom!  Chanukah Sameach!

Much Love,❤️

Shayndel

 A few PS Notes:

I have never been to America for Chanukah in all the 20 plus years since I lived in Japan. And now G-d is bringing me back to where these pomegranates in Japan came from!  (Did I mention, the pomegranates in the supermarket here in Japan are from America!)

You can find more posts of the pomegranate challah and even how it came about, the relation with Joseph, and more  HERE,  as I have been making a Pomegranate challah at Chanukah for several years now!  And Star of David Challah posts HERE and Uploads HERE and HERE。

 

Then they made bells of pure gold and put the bells between the pomegranates on the hem of the robe all around, between the pomegranates,  a bell and a pomegranate, then another bell and a pomegranate, all around on the hem of the robe, to minister in, as Adonai commanded Moses. 

Exodus 39:25~27

(verse added to the post as per conversation in the comments! Bold and colors emphasized accordingly!)

 

Nes Gadol Haya Sham, A GREAT MIRACLE HAPPENED THERE!

For a Classic Jewish spin on Chanukah Music,  Enjoy a Chanukah Playlist of the Maccabeats songs, one for each night,  HERE 

Also you can find my AHAVA CHANUKAH Playlist of songs HERE.

 

Parsha Diary--Tetzaveh, You shall command

The pointer and decorative "breastplate" that adorns the Torah scroll

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Your godly ones sing for joy. 

Psalm 132:9

Dear Parsha Diary,

This week I just loved reading Parsha Tetzaveh!  I learned so much from the Holy Spirit guiding as I enjoyed delving into the parsha.  I am continually in awe not only the beautiful details of the parsha in themselves, and especially, oh the priestly garments and the loving instructions from God to Moses on how they are to be made!! But also how everything points to our lives in Messiah Yeshua, and how alive His word is.  I know some people call this the "Old" Testament, but Lord this is all so new and alive and relevant to who we are in Messiah Yeshua!!! 

Make them holy in the truth.  Your word is truth.  John 17:17

Tetzaveh   You shall command

There is a commandment in the first line of the parsha for the olive oil to be brought to keep the light of the menorah burning forever before the LORD (Exodus 27:20~21).  After that, a good part of this parsha details the intricate and beautiful descriptions of the priestly garments God instructs Moses—though note that in this parsha Moses is not named—-to have made for Aaron and his sons.  Over and over in the tabernacle descriptions, God instructs that all be made by spirit-filled craftsmen  who are wise-hearted.  Each element of both the Tabernacle and the garments has special significance that speaks volumes about God’s heart and the love and meaning that is put into every detail of His word and instructions for our lives in service to Him, all for His Glory and to reveal His beauty!!

Our High Priest Yeshua is revealed in each item of garments, and the ministry of intercession that is our Messiah’s ministry is also passed down to us.   As a people, nation of high priests we are commanded to put on the Armor of God(Ephesians 6:10~23).   It is striking to read the passages in this parsha (for example the breastplate of judgement, Ex. 28:15) and to see how Paul's description of the armor in Ephesians is so deeply rooted in these instructions and all of the Torah.

True priests in service of Messiah always are to keep the light of God shining and lit, and to put on the priestly garments of justice, righteousness, truth and Salvation, always ready and with the Good News of Shalom to intercede and pray in the Ruach on every occasion (Ephesians 6:18)!  May we be clothed in Messiah Yeshua, shining our light and armed for intercession as we set out in our prayer time today!
  
Here is a prayer to pray for your child or loved one to be clothed in the armor of God! Put that person's name in the dotted lines in the prayer below.

May................................be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power.
May .......................put on the full armor of God so that ............................can stand against the schemes of the devil.  May.....................always buckle the belt of truth around his/her waist, and put on the breast plate of righteousness.  May .........................strap up his/her feet in readiness with the Good News of Shalom.  Above all, may...............take up the shield of faith with which he/she will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And may...................take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.   from Ephesians 6:10~17

Readings from Parsha Tetzaveh:
Exodus 27:20 ~ 30:10
Ezeikel 43:10 ~27
Hebrews 9:6~14

Notes:  Ruach is the Hebrew word for Spirit, or Wind, here referring to the Holy Spirit.

Take ...unleavened cakes with oil mixed in....    from Exodus 29:2, note to myself, the word for cakes in Hebrew in this verse is "Challah"

Notice the "Challah" this week, it has an unleavened look to it, actually I tried making challah using rice flour that I got from a local rice grower, and was surprised at the result how it didn't rise.

I have a "souvenir" Torah Scroll from Jerusalem. I confess I can't really read it but I can follow along enough to see where we are and listen along to the Hebrew as I "read" it for each potion, and some words do "pop out" and it is good Hebrew study as well for listening and following along and seeing!!!

Parsha Tetzaveh

Meditating on God's splendor and majesty and His clothes of righteousness; and on being clothed in the Armor of God.

You shall make a breastpiece of decision, worked into a design; make it in the style of the ephod:  make it of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen.  It shall be square and doubled, a span in length and a span in width.  Set in it mounted stones, in four rows of stones.  

Exodus 28:15~17 

 

Names--Shemot

"For I know the plans that I have in mind for you," declares ADONAI, "plans for shalom and not calamity---to give you a future and a hope.

"Then you will call on Me, and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me, when you will search for Me with all your heart.      --from Jeremiah 29:11~14

you may recall this Second Challah Cover, for the book of Exodus.  In  Hebrew it is  the book called Shemot, which means Names.  I took it out again to use as we are beginning the book of Exodus.

My name, Shayndel, is there in pink under the pink dalia

On a white cloth, I put my name, Shayndel, in the middle of the names of the twelve tribes.  There beneath a pink dalia and between it`s green leaves.

When I read all the names of the tribes in this weeks Parsha, I think of each blessing that Jacob bestowed upon his sons in the ending of the book of Bereshit.  Each one so different, yet each with a specific purpose. 

For we too each have a name that is precious to God, and each of us a unique purpose in His Kingdom.

As we enter a new year on the calendar year, and read anew in the book of Exodus, which in Hebrew is called Shemot,  and means Names, I wonder what that special purpose is for me and how it will manifest in this year.

And what it is for you.

As we exit from Shabbat into a new week, may the purposes that He has for each of us become a little clearer.  May we experience God's great Love for us and and believe in the plans He has for us.  May we give that love back out into the world through our lives.

Shavu'a Tov! Have a great week!

PS related posts HERE.

Love,
Shayndel

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For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

JOHN 3:16

Finishing the Book of Exodus, and The Second Challah Cover!!

Placing the second challah cover over the challah.  Shabbat Shalom!!

Can you see how the Challah Cover has something of a `tent`-like feeling?!

Blessed art thou, LORD our God who brings the Light of Yeshua to the world!

Blessed art Thou, King of the Universe, who bringest forth fruit from the vine.

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Dan, Naftali, Yosef, Benjamin

         Shabbat Shalom!

Names, Second Challah Cover in Process

Now these are the names of Bnei-Yisrael who came to Egypt with Jacob, each man with his family:  

Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah;

Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher.

The souls that came out of the line of Jacob numbered 70 in all, while Joseph was already in Egypt.

---Exodus 1:1

As I spread out the 12 squares on the tatami mat and arrange them for my second challah cover, I think of this book we are in, which is Exodus, or Shemot, which is translated as `Names`...

It is the first time I have written the names (of the 12 sons of Israel)  in Hebrew.  It is exciting to learn the letters that go together to make each one. 

As  I look at the 12 squares all set out,  getting ready to embroider the letters onto the squares,
I think of our amazing Maker, the Creator of all things, and that He set out everything from the beginning. 


"For I know the plans that I have in mind for you, declares ADONAI, "plans for shalom and not calamity---to give you a future and a hope.

Then you will call on Me, and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me, when you will search for Me with all your heart.  Then I will be found by you," says ADONAI," and I will return you from exile, and gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says ADONAI, and I will bring you back to the place from which I removed you as captives into exile."   ---Jeremiah 29:11~14

Please stay tuned as the challah cover continues.  I hope to have it done before we leave the book of Exodus.  Blessings and Shalom!  Shavu`a Tov!

This week`s Torah portion is Parshat Bo, Enter!

The readings are:

Exodus 10:1 ~13:16

Jeremiah 46:13~28 (Haftarah)

Romans 9:14~29 (Brit Chadashah)

Ending the Beginning, and my Second Challah Cover begins!

These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this is what their father spoke to them.  He blessed them, each one he blessed with a suitable blessing.  ---Genesis 49:28

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says ADONAI Elohim, "Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty!"   ---Revelation 1:8

Amazing in the Parsahat cycle we are already finishing the last reading from the book of Genesis this coming Shabbat and going into Exodus after that.  Like the end of each Shabbat, its a little sad coming to the end of the readings of one book.  But at the same time a new one begins, and the cycle keeps on going.

And as we go from Genesis to Exodus,  I will start the second challah cover!!

The inspiration for this challah cover is the twelve sons of Jacob.  I started by laying out the squares to represent the twelve sons, the twelve tribes of Israel.

 In Genesis God created the heavens and earth and filled them with plants and trees and all the living creatures and the people, from Adam to Jacob and his sons.   God plans and purposes and lays everything out from the beginning.  If we skip ahead to the end, i.e. Revelation, the end of the whole book, and a new beginning,  there is the most beautiful description of the New Jerusalem, where each of the 12 gates of the city are inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Bnei-Yisrael. 
On the gates were inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of Bnei-Yisrael---three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.  ---Revelation 21:12~13.  As well as the twelve names of the the twelve emissaries of the Lamb on the foundations of the city walls.           Then the twelve names of the twelve emissaries of the Lamb are written on the twelve foundations of the walls of the city.  ---Revelation 21:14


The foundations of the Jewish people and tribes of Israel were set up in the book of Genesis.  All the way into Revelation the foundations of the city wall are decorated with every kind of precious stone, which are reminiscient of the twelve precious stones representing the twelve tribes that we will soon see in Exodus in the breastplate of Aaron.    To read about the precious stones on the foundations and the pearls on the gates of the New Jerusalem, and description of the streets of the city as pure as gold, please continue reading in the book of Revelation, from 21:15.

I am just starting the challah cover, it begins where the first challah cover left off! As that one expressed the Life of Sarah and went through the generations to Isaac, this one continues with the generations of Jacob, Joseph.  Who are the twelve tribes that are so precious in God`s heart and plan? In the parsha this week there is the special blessings by Jacob for each of his twelve sons before he dies. 

A fruitful son is Joseph,

a fruitful son beside a spring---

daughters walk along a wall.  

                     ---the first lines of Jacob`s blessing to Joseph, Genesis 49:22

To be continued....