Preparing our hearts & Psalm 1 Tenugui!

Rearranging birthday balloons into a heart shape!  Rye Challah is in its second rise

Thinking about `arranging` our hearts...to seek to enter His tents...

I just re-arranged the birthday balloons, it was my daughter`s birthday last week, and we had them all up in the room but they started to come down,  so I re-arranged them a little and made them into a heart.  A welcoming arrangement for Shabbat!          

As I was making them into the heart shape and wanting to get a good shape, it also made me think about...How do we prepare our hearts for Shabbat?

Today, I like to think of it like the Israelites entering the Tent of Meeting, the Tabernacle.
In the Parashiot readings we are in the book of Leviticus.
It is not easy reading, but even if we don`t understand all of it, the way that the Torah of cleanliness is set up makes us look at our hearts and ask what it means to be `clean` in all ways---eating, thinking, speaking, obeying, living.

Speaking of preparations, the challah is in it`s second rise.
It`s a Whole Wheat Challah, with rye flour instead of whole wheat in this recipe.  Today I got a new `tenugui`(photo above and detail below!) for the Shabbat.  A tenugui is a Japanese hand towel, that has many other uses including wrapping things, or can be used as a decoration.  I like to use them also as challah covers.  It`s nice to change them for the seasons.  In Japan the seasons are celebrated and you can see many wonderful designs and patterns reflecting the seasons in the tenugui.    The spring green echoes the amazing green in this season.  As the cherry blossoms have all turned to spring green!! I loved that the design seemed to be a perfect illustration of Psalm 1!!  As we meditate on the Torah of ADONAI, the things around us reflect His Word more and more.   Look how the tree is planted over streams of Living Water!!

God Bless you!
Shabbat Shalom!

Happy is the one

who has not walked in

the advice of the wicked,

nor stood in the way of sinners,

nor sat in the seat of scoffers.

But his delight is in the Torah of ADONAI,

and on His Torah he meditates 

day and night.

He will be like a planted tree 

over streams of water,

producing its fruit during its season.

Its leaf never droops---

but in all he does, he succeeds.

---Psalm 1: 1~3 

Torah reflected in a Japanese Tenugui--can you see Psalm 1 with the tree planted in streams of living water!  Hallelujah!  Praise ADONAI in the tenugui design, in every aspect of our life!!*

* notice the "Y" in the shape of the tree, for "Yeshua!" 

A tenugui and a view outside perfectly illustrating Psalm 1 today on this afternoon before Shabbat!

 Love and blessings,

 Shabbat Shalom!!

Fruit of the Ume Tree and Psalm 1 Tenugui

  

(This is the third post in what became a `series` of posts on  Psalm 1 expressed in a tenugui!*
see two posts below! Blessings and thank you for visiting)

On this Shabbat,  I received a wonderful and playful gift from the Ruach HaKodesh.

The Holy Spirit of God. Yes! I believe He speaks to us in ways that are unique to each person and often with surprises.  He knows our hearts and  finds the way to express something in a language we understand.  I find that on Shabbat when we open our hearts He speaks new life into things and shows us something new.

He will even speak through a tenugui (a Japanese long rectangular cloth used traditionally as a hand towel and in recent years for many other uses) if we have ears to hear and eyes to see!

First I just saw in it the pattern the Tree planted in streams of living water.  

An expression of Psalm 1 (*see this post below!)

Then as the Shabbat went on,   I heard the other lines of the Psalm, and the Psalm seemed to come to life around me...

The streams of water!!
He will be like a planted tree over streams of water, 

see, the fruit!
producing its fruit during it`s season.   ---Psalm 1:3

Fruit of the Ume tree and `Psalm 1` Tenugui

The Torah is a Tree of Life when we grasp hold of it.  

It doesn`t unfold all at once. It is like in the Psalm.   It is something we meditate on day and night.  And then more and more we see it reflected in the world around us.  

I asked a woman that I met recently if she has a Bible. She said no.

We talked and she was distressed, so I asked her if I could pray for her, and she said, yes, please.  After we prayed,  she seemed much lighter.  We talked a little more.   I recommended that she get a Bible and that she spend time reading it.  She said she would.  I really hope she did.
It is life changing when we encounter the living word of G-d.

My prayer today is that many souls will receive Salvation and know Messiah Yeshua in this new season we are entering, where everything is green and new.  Here in Japan,  and in Israel and all the world, and even someone reading this! 
If you don`t have a copy of the Holy Scriptures, I do hope you too will grasp a hold of one.  It is a Tree of Life for those who take hold of it.  Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace...*

(from Proverbs3:18)

God Bless you!

Shavu`a Tov.

Have a Blessed week!

Psalm 1!

The heart of entrance into this week`s  Shabbat!

The light of the Havdallah candle, marks the separation between Shabbat and the new first day of the week

A wonder-ous end to the Shabbat this week.  The wax from the Havdallah candle made a heart shape in the drips!!

Shalom Tenugui, Flowers from my daughter, and a Shalom gift for you...

menu notes:  `Thanksgiving` recipes for this Shabbat include cranberry sauce from dried cranberries, creamy sweet potatoes with cardomon, and perfect roast chicken

Shabbat Shalom!

About the Shalom Tenugui:

A Tenugui is a long rectangular shaped cloth with a long history, traditional in Japan.  

I designed this Shalom Tenugui, its something I have been wanting to do for long time, and recently had an opportunity to collaborate with a graphic designer who put my drawing into graphic form!

The design features the Hebrew letters which spell Shalom with a pattern of Cherry Blossoms in the letters. Around the Shalom in the background are graphics of Mt. Fuji, On-sen (hot spring mark), Challah (whole loaf), and a slice of challah.   It can be used as a Challah Cover, a table runner, a decorative cloth, or to wrap a gift or to be a gift in itself.

This past Shabbat I used it as a challah cover.  As you can see the little challah patterns reflect in the Challah itself.  It came about as a personal expression of how Japan and Israel have been coming together in my life.  A way to share a message of shalom and for all things to come together in God`s great Shalom!!

The flowers were gift from my daughter on thanksgiving day, though on that day it was actually Labor Day in Japan.  So I would like to give a gift to you, please read the end of the post to find a fun giveaway!!

Wishing you a belated Happy Thanksgiving! 

IF you are inspired to, please share your favorite scripture about Thanks or about Shalom (peace!)

I will share one too,

Blessings and ....Shalom!,

ADONAI bless you and keep you!
ADONAI make His face to shine on you 
and be gracious to you!
ADONAI turn His face toward you 
and grant you shalom!

---Aaronic Benediction, Numbers 6:24~26

♡

Shayndel

♡

Shalom in Psalms, A Giveaway gift for you!

  When I just went to look up a `Shalom` verse to share, a book came up!!   The title  is just so perfect, two of my most favorite themes, Shalom and Psalms, its called Shalom in the Psalms!

 So I did something impulsive and ordered it!

Then I saw there is a way to give this book to you too, so I set up a giveaway on Amazon, so it will be sent directly to one person in this week through Dec. 3!!
 Please if you would like to be eligible for a free gift giveaway copy,
click Here, 
I hope you will be the one who receives the free gift giveaway !!!!
  

A Challah over Mt. Fuji

challah wrapped in a `tenugui` cloth on the airplane table in front of the window

can you see Mt. Fuji?  There is is, you see! The mountain top!

Drawing from the plane, So close to heaven, God so near! 

Landed, with the Challah, in Tokyo!

Travelling from South to North, to Tokyo for Succot,
A challah in my hands.
Hoping to get a view of Mt. Fuji
before the plane lands.

There it is!! You see, the  mountain top!
The challah, on the table, prop (propped!)
Mt. Fuji and a challah in one view,
I hope one day you`ll see those two

Oh what a thrill
when it appears

So close to heaven
God so near

 Give thanks to the God of heaven

His love endures forever.   ---Psalm 136:26

Blessings and Shalom!
from Challah and Cherry Blossoms correspondent,

Shayndel

♡

Challah and Mt. Fuji notes on this story:

The challah is a Red Bean challah! I used THIS RECIPE for the dough, with a few variations, and for the filling used  red bean paste (secret: the red bean paste, called azuki,  I used this time was ready made,  from 7-Eleven!),  You can also make your own!
(Variations:  I often make this recipe as is, but for this red bean version I made the following variations.  I note this here as sometimes I will go back to make a challah and I forget what I did!  So this is like my  diary of making the challah, and of course I welcome you to try it too!!
instead of honey, I used Tensai-to which is a Japanese sugar made from daikon radish;  I substituted Grapeseed oil, instead of Olive Oil; and doubled the recipe, one loaf went with me to Tokyo, and the other stayed home and was for our Shabbat, see in posts below).

The first Red Bean Challah I made was in this past year for Abraham, you can see the Red Bean Challah in This post and This post.

note:  The challah is wrapped for travelling in a Japanese Tenugui.  Click in the *labels* at right side bar or beneath this post under `tenugui` and there you can find out more about these cloths.  The design on the tenugui I was carrying this Challah in had a picture of a red Mt. Fuji!

note:  If you see in the photos, you might not even realize where Mt. Fuji is, but please look close and you can see the dark shape of the top of the Mountain coming out from the clouds!! You can also see more Mt. Fuji views and posts on this blog, some readers may already know my Mt. Fuji and challah fascination!  

Also noted:  often we make a foil `tent` for the Challah in the oven after about 20 minutes, depending on your oven so the top doesn`t burn while the inside cooks.  I noticed this time as I was making the foil tent, that this Challah is for Succot and at this time we are commanded to dwell, rejoice in tents!!
This photo below is the Challah in it`s tent.

Challah at the Cornerstone

As newborn babes, long for pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow toward salvation---now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.  As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house---a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Messiah Yeshua.  For it says in Scripture, 

"Behold, I lay in Zion a stone,
a chosen, precious cornerstone.
Whoever trusts in Him
will never be put to shame."

--1 Peter: 2~6, cf. Isaiah 28:16

Sometimes I just have to take a challah outside and take a photograph.  This time Jacob`s blessing to Joseph with the words about God as the Shepherd and Stone, and daughters walking along the walls inspired me to take a picture of  the challah at the cornerstone.  It was also another way to express the connection between Joseph to  Yeshua, the Cornerstone,  foundation and Bread of life.  It was exciting to walk along the walls on a windy yet clear brisk morning, and connect to the words, thinking of the blessing,  as I tried to set up the picture.  With the wind, it was a little hard to get the challah to stay upright for the pose, and I had to move quickly, but I was able to get a few pictures at the spot.

I also discovered that Cherry Blossoms tenugui make a very good challah cover.  The long narrow rectangle shape cloth is perfect for challah.  Tenugui are Japanese hand towels, also used for wrapping gifts or `o-bento` (lunch boxes), and even for decorative hangings.  They come in all different seasonal patterns and I couldn`t resist the cherry blossoms designs in this season as we approach the coming of spring.  Expectation in the air.

Blessings and stay tuned for a few more posts from this week, a little more adventure with the challah and sharing the Bread of Life this Shabbat!!!

A fruitful son is Joseph,

a fruitful son beside a spring--

daughters walk along a wall.

The archers were bitter and shot arrows

and were hostile towards him.

Yet his bow was always filled, 

and his arms quick-moving---

by the hands of the Mighty One

of Jacob.

From there a Shepherd,

the Stone of Israel,

from the God of your father

who helps you,

and Shadddai who blesses you,

with blessings of heavens above,

blessings of the deep that lies below,

blessings of breasts and womb.

---Genesis 49:22~25, from Jacob`s blessing to Joseph

Afikomen

We break the middle Matzah into two pieces and wrap one piece in linen. This is called the Afikomen.  Afikomen is from Greek and means `He who comes` or `I came`, or it may also mean `hidden`.

Wrapping the Afikomen.  I used a Cherry Blossoms patterned Tenugui, as the cloth to wrap it.  Since the Afikomen represents Yeshua, the cherry blossoms tenugui is fitting for the theme of His Resurrection that we celebrate in this season.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by His stripes we are healed."       ---Isaiah 53:5

"And when He had taken matzah and offered the b`rachah, He broke it and gave it to them saying, `This is My body, given for you.  Do this in memory of Me. `"

---Luke 22:19

   Blessed are you, O  L-RD our G-d, King of the Universe, 

Who brings forth the True Bread from heaven.  Amen.

(All eat the Afikomen)

手ぬぐいと「詩篇１」！

For English please scroll down just below!!
Thank you for visiting! Blessings and Shalom!



手ぬぐいと「詩篇１」！

日本の手ぬぐいが大好きです。

時々手ぬぐいを置いている店に行って見ます。
秋にはもみじの模様をみつけたり、桜の季節には、もちろんさくら柄！
初春になって、またあたらしい手ぬぐいを探しに行った時、びっくりしました。
藤とアジサイといろいろな黄緑の模様の中に、一枚の印象的な手ぬぐいを見つけました！

手ぬぐいのデザインは一本の木があって、清流の中に黄緑の紅葉の木が描かれているのです。「詩篇１」の言葉とぴったりで、思わずこの手ぬぐいを手にとりました。

詩篇１、１〜３：

1  幸いなことよ。
悪者のはかりごとに歩まず、
罪人の道に立たず、
あざける者の座に着かなかった、その人。
2  まことに、その人は主のおしえを喜びとし、
昼も夜もそのおしえを口ずさむ。
3  その人は、
水路のそばに植わった木のようだ。
時がくると実がなり、その葉は枯れない。
その人は、なにをしても栄える。

確かに、あの絵にある木とこの3行目は完璧なイラストレーションではないか！

アドナイ（ヘブライ語で主）のトーラ（ヘブライ語で主の教え）を喜ぶと、私達も、あの水路のそばに植わった木のようです！


この手ぬぐいがあると、なんか、日本の心に主の教えが近づいて来るかなと、思っています。おかげで、とても素敵なテーブルア レンジメントが出来ました。手ぬぐいの黄緑の柄が外の雰囲気とハーモニーしているんです！！

みんなさん、シャバット・シャロム！

＊もっと「シャバット」の記事を読みたかったら、このポストをク リックをして読んで下さい！また日本語でブログの記事を書くのを頑張りたいと思 います。コメント待ってます！是非、お話しましょう！

link:  Hanamoyo Tenugui Website
link:  Hanamoyo Blog post featuring Challah and Cherry Blossoms postcards

Parsha Chukat--Water from the Rock, Challah-Cast on a rainy day!!

Hydrangeas (above) are a flower of the rainy season in Japan.  Morning glories (on the patterned tenugui cloth below) bloom in summer, just after the rainy season

Then Israel sang this song,

"Spring up, O well!  Sing about it!"

The well the princes dug, 

that the nobles of the people sank

with their scepter and their staffs."

Numbers 21:17

I wasn`t going to do a Challah-cast this week, but reading Torah on a rainy week just gave me an idea at the last minute that welled up in me and it struck me that this might just be something I could put into a short upload for the week of Parsha Chukat!!

The scene, I was walking home from getting the flowers for Shabbat in the rain, and when I saw the rock wall of the Castle remains, surrounded by water with the rain adding water to the scene by the minute,  I thought of the rock and the water coming from the rock that we read about in this week`s parsha (of course now its already last week as by the time I put my thoughts down in a post!) .

In Parsha Chukat, after reading about the Statute of the Red Heifer, and the purification ritual involved,  we read about Moses hitting the rock to provide water for the Children of Israel.   The water comes forth, but on account of hitting the rock where he was told by God to speak to the rock, he and Aaron are told that they will not get to enter the Promised land.  In this parsha that is centered around water, I just felt some kind of connection as I walked home through the Castle where the stone wall and all the water  kept drawing me into thoughts of the parsha.  I took out my phone and just filmed my walk home on the spot, and that became the `drash` for this week!! (drash is a kind of `message` or thoughts about the week`s Torah Portion.) And as you know my drash-es always come with a dash of something of the challah, so I just put together a few thoughts with a few scenes of finishing the challah, and voila, a challah-cast it became!!!  A little `rough` and `on the spot`, but if you are moved to watch, hope it blesses you. 

In dry and barren times and in all times, May we all call on  The LORD, He is our Rock and our Salvation!! 

Love
♡
Shayndel

Whole Wheat Challah recipe HERE and can also be found under challah recipes at side bar!!



note: Since I made the upload above, we have been in a week of severe weather conditions with rain and flooding and God spared us from our river overflowing and He stopped the rain from doing damage it could have caused.   Thank you for your prayers for Japan as the rains continue and move north.  Blessings and Love.
HERE is an extra *personal testimony upload* after this week, thanks and praise after the storm.  

I am a Rose of Sharon.

Song of Songs 2:1


S  H A B B A T       S H A L O M  !

♡