In ancient times, challah was a dough tithe given to the high priest. After the destruction of the temple, a piece of bread was burnt to remember the priest. Eventually challah became the entire bread loaf. Traditionally challah is made from braided egg dough.
1. Prepare the dough by dissolving yeast with a tablespoon of sugar in lukewarm water. Let sit for 10 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients from your challah recipe.
2. Knead the dough so it is smooth. If too firm, add water, if too soft, add flour.
3. Oil a bowl and coat the dough by flipping it in the bowl.
4. Heat the dough for 1-2 hours or until it rises to about double its original size. You may have to punch holes in it to let air rise.
5. Here, separate the challah (see Torah) and divide it so you can braid it like above.
6. Repeat step 4.
7. Preheat oven to 350.
8. Beat an egg yolk with some water, maybe even some sugar. Using an egg brush, glaze the yolk all around the challah. Poppy or sesame seeds can then be sprinkled on the dough.
9. Bake that challah for maybe half an hour, or until it sounds hollow if tapped on bottom. Cool it by removing it from the pan.
All you need next is a challah cover from your favorite Judaica store. A challah cover is a good investment - you don't want that baby going stale!
There are two commandments in the Torah addressing the color of tzitzis. One mentions attaching white fringes to the corners of a four-cornered garment, while the other completely independent commandment mentions a thread of techelet to each corner.
While many talit-wearing Jews have little issue with the white string, the idea of the techelet string has caused a bit of controversy.
The chilazon, an aquatic or semi-aquatic organism, was responsible for providing the blood used to create the blue dye on the techelet thread. However, at some point in the history of the Jewish people, the identity of the chilazon was forgotten.
Since the information is no longer guaranteed, many rabbinical scholars wear only white tzitzit, because it would be unacceptable to wear blue thread if it’s not really techelet. However, many have attempted to discover the identity of the chilazon.
Rabbi Gershon Henoch Leiner (1839-1891), for example, believed the cuttlefish was the chilazon, and he therefore produced dye from that fish for his tzitzit.
Currently, however, the majority of Jewish communities fear the uncertainty of the chilazons identity, and therefore prefer to wear strictly white fringes. The assumption is that during the coming of the Messiah, Elijah will reveal the identity of the actual chilazon.
Until that point, tzitzis will continue to be seen with both white and blue dyed threads.
Ashkenazic Jews are descended from Northern and Eastern European Jews. Sephardic Jews come from the Iberian peninsula, and the Middle East. During the Jewish expulsion from Spain in the late 15th century, many Jews emigrated to Northern Africa. Sephardic means “Spain” in Hebrew, and Ashkenazi means “Germany.”
Sephardic Jews are subdivided into the European Jews and the Eastern Jews, who lived in Arab lands before the creation of Israel, where today, more than half of the Jews are Mizrachim, which means “Eastern.”
Yiddish was the language of Ashkenazi Jews, and was based on German and Hebrew. Ladino was based on Spanish and Hebrew and was the language of the Sephardic Jews.
Sephardic Jews usually follow the practices of Orthodox Judaism, and wear Kippot and tzitzis, while Ashkenazi Jews have smaller sects that differ according to their religious practices. Some Ashkenazi only wear kippot during Passover and in synagogue!
There are other groups of Jews that do not fit into the Ashkenazi/ Sephardic distinction. Ethiopian Jews, also called Falashas or Beta Israel, and Oriental Jews are just some of these. In the U.S. these groups are relatively small. Most American Jews are Ashkenazi, and came to the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries, but the oldest Jewish congregations are Sephardic and arrived here during the late 1600’s.
The talit is commonly used in prayer, but the chupah talit is used for wedding ceremonies. The chupah talit is also referred to as a wedding canopy, and depending on certain practices, can be worn underneath a talit.
The chupah talit is usually held by four poles, one at each corner. Although the chupah talit should be held outside, some celebrate weddings indoors. The chupah talit should be an objet d’art, and as such is prized for its beauty and its symbolic meaning.
The canopy is open on all four sides, which means that the Jewish home is welcoming. It is supposed to represent the home of Abraham. There are no designs on the talit, which means that the Jewish home is supposed to be without embellishment. It is simple, and not defined by materiality.
The reason for the talit to be held under the sky is to commune with G-d. It signifies the sacred union of marriage, and its natural origins. The talit should remind the couple of their commitment to each other, and their commitment to G-d.
If you are looking for a chupah talit, visit Eichler’s today. They have all of your Judaica needs.
Wearing tzitzis is a commandment that is easy to fulfill, and helps one to remember to follow the other commandments. There are all kinds of tzitzis. Mesh tzitzis, cotton tzitzis, which are the most popular kind of tzitzis, and even childrens tzitzis!
Wearing a talit is another great mitzvah. These prayers shawls are split into Ashkenazic, Sephardic, and Chabad. Many of our talis are smooth and lightweight, and hold steady on to your shoulders without slipping. Most are good for year round, but during summer, a wool talit can be heavy, which is why a lightweight talit is a great option.
With summer and the warmer months approaching, it’s good to have an extra talit or tzitzi, just in case one gets dirty, or sweaty, or you need lightweight mesh tzitzis that are more breathable and comfortable.
Choosing a talit or a tzitzi is simple with our wizard helper. Everything from size to color is covered for you, so you don’t have to worry about what is what. With all that extra time saved deciding on which tzitzi or talit is right for you, you can start looking for summer kippas and a fashionable new yarmulke!
Selecting the right tzitizis can sometimes be a challenging task. There are all kinds of specifications you must consider before you select the right talit or tzitzis for you. The tzitis is incredibly important because it reminds the wearer of their obligations to G-d and their fellows. The mitzvah of Tzitizis requires fringes to be tied at four corners of every garment, with the fringes have a certain number of knots. Some people prefer to tie the knots themselves, while others opt for the pre-tied and ready-to-wear tzitis.
If you’re concerned about buying the right Tzitis, Eichler’s has streamlined the shopping process for you. The Tzitis Wizard at the Eichler’s online store takes all the guesswork out the selection process and never before has getting the right Tzitis been so easy.
First you select whether you need children or adult sizes, then you select what lineage you come from, next you select whether you’d like a cotton tzitis, or wool, or other fabric. After that you select your size which is listed by height. Then you choose the style, knotting, and strings.
So build the perfect Tzitis today with the Eichlers Tzitis Wizard.
Reading is extremely beneficial activity for the health and longevity of the mind. Countless studies have shown that children who read more do better in school, are more curious and articulate, and have a more developed world view. But for many parents, weaning their child off of the habit of frequent television watching and onto a good habit book reading can be like pulling teeth. The key in getting your child to read is to get them books that appeal to their interests. People of all ages enjoy reading books with characters that they are able to relate to. If you’re having a hard time coaxing your child into picking up a book, you should look no further than your favorite judaica store.
At a good judaica store, you will find a bountiful selection of jewish books, which can appeal to readers of all ages. Here are two jewish books that are sure to get them away from the T.V. and glued to a book for a change.
Great gifts for any occasion are new kippas. These days, there are tons of different designs and styles of kippas that can reflect the wearer’s tastes and hobbies. If you have a young child who is fussy about wearing kippas, a customizable or hand-painted kippa could be a great solution to the problem. By letting them wear kippas that they can choose, they can feel extra-proud about wearing a kippa design that is more personal to them. Whether your son loves cartoons, Sci-Fi films, sports, or super heros, there is sure to be a design that reflects the wearers own style. Here are a few hand-painted kippa designs that kids are sure to love:
Woohoo! Pesach is almost here! I can almost smell the Haroset and Matzo Ball soup now. If you to stock up on supplies for the festivities, but are too busy to make your way out to the neighborhood judaica store, don’t worry—Eichlers.com has a Passover store with everything you need to make your Pesach one to remember.
When I say they have everything you need, I really mean everything. It’s incredible. Whether you need a couple matzoh covers, a Passover haggadah, some seder plates or books for the kids, Eichler’s has you taken care of.
There’s nothing I love more than avoid those holiday rushes at the store, so Eichler’s Passover store is dream. I was even able to find some great Passover toys to give the kids at my Seder dinner, which is something the adults will appreciate. Be sure to check out the Super-sale items as well.
I ended up getting a gorgeous glass/pewter Matza box and a glass/pewter Matza tray for $19.99 each! You can’t beat that kind of quality and those prices.
So don’t miss out on this fantastic sale!
For Seforim look no further than your neighborhood Judaica store, Eichler’s. We have just received some new seforim that make great Passover seder gifts. The entire family will appreciate a new book upon their shelves. Jewish books are a great present to give and receive any time of the year, but especially during a season of travel.
When family comes together, sometimes after long absences, there are few things better than a book to give. The emotion that the book conjures is long after associated with the giver. This upcoming Pesach is the time to be with family and share good food, good learning and good times. Why not commemorate it all with a small gift?
There are even books for the children, including bed time stories and favorites like Say It With Zest and Mitzvos We Can Do. And Eichler’s also has adult books that you read left to right, so don’t worry if your Hebrew is sub-par, because we have something for everyone.
You don’t have to stop there – if you want to bring other gifts to your family this Passover seder, you can browse our Kippas, Challah cover, seder plates and many other gifts and accessories for the Jewish lifestyle.
If you’re looking for Mezuza then your favorite Judaica store has all of the latest options: plastic Lucite, glass, sand blasted silver, and more. Mezuza are important to Jews because they fulfill the mitzvah of Shema, which is to inscribe the words of the Testament to your house.
The scroll that is placed inside most Mezuza is not just any old Hebrew written down! It is written by a trained scribe called a “sofer stam” who has undergone years of training. He uses a quill pen and indelible black ink to write the Shema Yisrael from Deuteronomy.
The mezuzah should be placed on the right side of the doorway within three inches of the opening. During the middle ages, many rabbis contended with each other as to whether the mezuza was to be placed horizontally or vertically. To compromise, most Jews tilt the mezuzah so that it leans towards the room, inviting the Lord to enter within.
So before Passover seder this year, you may want to stock up on your mezuzah and the other requisites – Yarmulka, family haggadah, seder plates and anything else you might need to make this season’s seder go off without a hitch. You can find it all at Eichler’s, your favorite Judaica store.
For Passover seder this year, it might be nice to have an afikomen bag. When I was a kid, we never had a bag for the afikomen and by the end of the night there were motza crumbs all over the house – my mother was furious! But Eichler’s is the largest Judaica store on the internet, and has everything for the Passover seder, so why does it surprise you that they even have afikomen bags?
This judaica store has all kinds of afikomen bags for your Passover seder! From detailed menorahs to embroidered pictures of Jerusalem on afikomen bags, they will help you to celebrate hiding the afikomen and will keep the practice sacred. We also have velvet bags if you really want to add some luxury to your Passover seder and if you’re looking for something more simple, we also have terylene bags too.
There are raw silk applique’d matzah covers with all kinds of beautiful designs – pomegranates, fish, lilies. Our hand embroidered motza covers are beautiful and preserve the motza as well as they preserve tradition!
So for this time of the year, a time of new beginnings, when baby lambs come to eat verdant spring grass, begin your Passover seder anew with a traditional afikomen cover. It will really add a special something to your Passover seder.
If you’re looking for a great gift this spring, or are looking to add to your collection, Eichler’s has some beautiful hand-painted Seder plates that are sure to brighten your upcoming Passover Seder.
The stunning Foldable Seder Plates painted by artist Yair Emanuel, are a perfect Passover gift for the art-lover. The Seder plates are hand-painted and lacquered with several layers, so they are safe for eating your Maror, Chazeret, Charoset, Karpas, Z’roa, and Beitzah! The lively, colorful design gives the plates a one-of-a-kind feel and its ability to fold into a neat box makes it easy for storage.
Another great design is the Exodus from Egypt Seder Plate and Six Small Bowls, also painted by the talented Yair Emanuel. These wooden, hand-painted plates and bowls feature an intricate painting of The Exodus from Egypt that is bursting with color and also have that one-of-kind look to them that anyone would be proud to display.
If you like the design of the Exodus from Egypt Seder Plates, but prefer glass plates, The Seven Species Glass Seder Plate may be exactly what you’re looking for. These sturdy, hand-painted plates and bowls are sure to be a crowd pleaser and conversation piece at your next Passover dinner.
I think my favorite Passover seder was when I was twelve years old. That year we had it at our house for the first time in a long time. We usually went to Uncle Yosef’s or our Grandparent’s house. Aunt Sandy came from Washington and Uncle Arny came from Miami. You’d think that with so much family from out of town things would run smoothly, but that year things were a bit meshuggeneh.
Aunt Sandy was a bit odd; she had a dog that she brought with her from home and it was a little yapper. I tried to play with the mop and he would growl and try to bite me, but as soon as Aunt Sandy called his name, he’d run into her lap and purr. Plus, she insisted on holding the dog on her lap at table, which no one was too happy about.
While everyone was getting ready for dinner, my mother was fixing the seder plate, Uncle Arny was distributing the Passover haggadah, and my father was hiding the afikoman. Now, the thing you should know about Aunt Sandy is that she has a giant wig, and my father, who was always one for games and tricks, somehow managed, without her knowing, to hide the motzah in her hair! It was so high and hidden with layers upon layer that none of the kids could see, and my father didn’t tell a soul. So after passover seder all the children scoured the house, and couldn’t find the afikoman. Finally, my father gave me a hint and pointed at Aunt Sandy. I ran behind her, and caught a glimpse of the motzah, and when I pulled it from her hair, she fainted right to the floor!
Well, she was alright, and everyone had a good laugh, except for her little dog. And after she regained her senses, even she thought it was kind of funny.
Passover seder is my favorite part of my favorite holiday. Part of the reason why is my mother’s charoset. That haroset on the seder plate was always gone by the end of Passover seder, and it’s not like she made just a little bit. People from up and down the block knew about Mom’s charoset, and while she was proud, she was never snooty.
In fact, since Mom was never very protective about her recipes, she gave all of her friends her charoset recipe, and while I tried a few of them, they were never quite like Mom’s. But now it’s your turn. Here’s the exact recipe ingredients, directly from my mother herself:
- 6 cups peeled, cored and grated Granny Smith apples
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 1 cup roughly chopped walnuts
- 1 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup kosher for Passover sweet red wine
So for this Passover seder, put on your seder plate my mother’s charoset and I guarantee you that you won’t be disappointed.
When I was just a little tot, my grandfather bought the family a colorful Passover haggadah and from it, we photocopied haggadahs for everyone else. The illustrated edition was lively and fun to read, especially for me and my little brother. We’d recline and follow in our photocopies while the person reading got to hold the cherished colored book, passing it around the table from page to page. I could only imagine what it would have been like to have the real book in front of me, but as soon as I learned how to read I found out. In any case, our haggadah was the centerpiece of our table – it made our Pesach.
Passover Seder is just around the corner, and if you’re in need of a family haggadah, it’s important to think carefully about your options. If you want to do like my family, you can invest in a nice leather bound Passover haggadah and make photocopies for the kids. Or, if you want everyone to be able to hold a book in their hands, you’ve got plenty of more affordable options. In either case, there are plenty of haggadahs to choose from.
Eichlers.com has tons of Passover haggadahs, for the kids or for the scholars, from hardcover to paperback, the world’s Judaica store has you covered.
If you’re thinking about your favorite people this Purim, you should buy them a gift basket for mishloach manot and spread the love! There’s nothing nicer than coming home to see a beautiful Purim basket sitting on your kitchen counter. Purim was my favorite holiday when I was a tyke, and it wasn’t just because of the candy. Purim reminds you of who your friends are and it can help you make new friends too! In fact, I met one of my best friends at school when I gave him misloach manot. Giving is a way for us to remember that all Jews are entitled to some tasty food and drink on this holy day.
In these baskets, gourmet goodies are presented with lots of flair, and tons of taste. Wafers and chocolates, hamentashen and wine, flowers and candy all remind us that spring isn’t so far away, and that when it comes you’ll have plenty of friends and family to celebrate with in the warm weather.
You don’t have to splurge, but you can if you want. Eichlers.com has a wide variety of Purim baskets available in all styles and sizes. So go ahead and give on this day of feasting and gladness – besides, it’s a mitzvah!
Holidays are over but this doesn’t mean that shopping season is over too. Oh no. There’s always a Bar Mitzvah, a wedding, a birthday or even just a romantic date that requires some sort of a gift. Of course that a lot of people will just write a check or give a gift card, but what’s fun in that?
Here’s a great gift idea for you – Challah Covers! Yup, a classic and elegant challah cover will make any Jew happy. Hey, who likes a dry challah? Not me! There are many Challah covers available today, heck, there are even designer challah covers.
For example, take a look at the always lovely, Yair Emanuel Challah Covers from our famous Judaica store. Like all of his, the challah covers are hand-made and fashionable and will suite any Shabbat table. The designs are numerous and the products include Hand-Embroidered Challah Covers, Raw Silk Applique'd Challah Covers and Silk Painted Challah Covers.What else? Our Judaica Store Terylene and Velvet Challah Covers offer a classic design and a timeless לכבוד שבת קדש decoration that will make your guests feel right at home!
For more Challah Covers and other gift ideas, visit our Judaica store at www.Eichler's.com today!
I was shopping for a new Challah cover from an online Judaica store when I discovered their wide selection of beautiful kippot and yarmulkes—I’ve never seen so many in one place outside of a synagogue!
For the fashion conscious, I recommend a silk designer yarmulke by Yama & Sons, available in tons of unique prints, even paisley! Satin kippot are also very striking and come in a variety of colors, from the memorable fuchsia and turquoise options to the more subdued black, gray, and silver—and everything in between.
I think my personal favorites are the suede embossed yarmulkes, in modern and artistic patterns that exceeded my skullcap expectations. I love the subtle checker pattern, or the two-toned zebra kippot for a look that’s sure to get some attention.
Even children can find excellent kippot from www.Eichers.com. My sons adore the hand painted suede yarmulkes featuring everything from SpongeBob SquarePants to Scooby Doo, in addition to scenes from the Torah like Noah’s ark.
Looking at the Jewish section of a regular bookstore is so depressing—the selection is just so minimal, offering none of my favorite genres like humor, women’s interests, Kabbalah, and more. If you want a satisfying assortment of Jewish books, you really have to visit a Judaica store. From there, the options are endless. I laughed for hours reading Simcha Weinstein’s “Shtick Shift,” a guide to 21st-century Jewish humor.
When I’m looking for some right-to-left reading such as Seforim, I can also trust my favorite Judaica store to have to products I’m looking for, all available in elegant hardcover editions that I display prominently at home.
By the way, www.Eichlers.com has some beautiful options if you’re looking to buy a Mezuza. I love the sand blasted products, available in vibrant gold and blue, and well as brown, copper, and silver. The wooden Mezuzot are also very elegant, available in timeless designs in addition to more modern patterns. And plastic Mezuzot are just as diverse—you can get a classic white and gold design, or a marble pattern that looks like the real thing.