Honoring Parshat Chayei Sarah with a Meaningful Challah Bake

Last week, the 9th and 10th Grade students of our Jewish Online High School gathered for an inspiring challah bake in honor of Parshat Chayei Sarah. Led by their teacher, Morah Chaya Forma, the event was a beautiful blend of tradition, learning, and personal reflection, as the students connected with the rich legacy of Jewish women throughout the generations.

The session began with a discussion about the three miracles that returned to Sarah's tent when Rivkah became Isaac's wife. These miracles—the cloud of the Shechinah hovering above the tent, the blessing in Sarah's dough, and the Shabbat candles that burned from week to week—represent the enduring spiritual legacy passed from Sarah to Rivkah, and, ultimately, to all Jewish women.

The challah bake became a hands-on opportunity for the students to bring these concepts to life. As they measured, poured, and mixed the ingredients for their dough, Morah Chaya wove together powerful teachings about the mitzvot of women. She introduced the acronym "CHaNaH," which stands for the three primary mitzvot entrusted to Jewish women: Challah (separating a portion of dough), Niddah (family purity), and Hadlakat Nerot (lighting Shabbat candles).

To deepen their appreciation of these mitzvot, the students watched an inspiring video about candle lighting. They explored how this simple yet profound act connects Jewish women to those who came before them, forming an unbroken chain of light and holiness stretching back thousands of years.

The challah-making itself was infused with deeper meaning. Morah Chaya explained the significance of each ingredient—flour symbolizing sustenance, water representing Torah, salt for balance and preservation, and yeast as a metaphor for growth and spiritual elevation. As each ingredient was added to the bowl, the students took a moment to reflect and ask Hashem for specific blessings in their own lives, tying personal prayers to the symbolic elements of the dough.

By the time the dough was ready to rise, the students had experienced more than just a baking session—they had engaged in a powerful exercise in mindfulness, spirituality, and connection to the generations of Jewish women who came before them.

This challah bake was a fitting tribute to the lessons of Parshat Chayei Sarah, reminding us all of the enduring power of tradition, the special role of women in Judaism, and the miracles that continue to manifest in our lives.