Weather It Is (A Tad Warm? --> The Perfect Challah)

Good Morning:

The other day I wrote that Yom Kippur looks to be a "tad" on the warm side.  This is true, but it's not the complete story.

In fact, in the central mountains, temperatures will be (as noted) in the low 30s with low humidity.  This means that the Heat Index will be similar to, or even a bit lower than the forecast temperatures.

However, in the central plains areas (e.g., Ben Gurion and Bet-Shemesh), temperatures will be in the mid 30s.  In Tel-Aviv, they will be in the upper 20s to around 30 Celsius, but humidities will be very high, so the Heat Index will be in the low 30s.

Basically, Yom Kippur will be a day where extra caution will need to be exercised.  Stay out of the sun, try to stay indoors and don't walk very fast anywhere.  One might not feel like one is perspiring where the humidities are low, but you are. So, dehydration is a possibility.

Looking ahead, Thursday will stay on the hot side, but temperatures will cool off towards Shabbat. Temperatures will warm up a bit into Sukkoth, but there could be some showers at the end of the month.  I am hoping that the weather signal will become clearer after we're all done doing our "Teshuvah."

As you all know, I consider myself a scientist, and I often experiment in areas outside my field -- like baking bread.  Unfortunately, I reached the nadir of my efforts one Shabbat when the Challah I made for the guests came out rather flat -- more like honey cake than bread. I was stumped, but the the wife said: "it's the honey."  Of course, this was obvious to her but not to me (see: "Women are Wiser" from a blog in September 2014; copied below).  If you've ever lifted a honey jar one can imagine that our little yeast friends would also find it difficult as well.  There were other issues that had to be overcome, but to make a long story short here is the "Perfect Challah Recipe."

This makes two large challahs (round or oblong) and 4 small Challah rolls). For half a recipe, add 1/2 TB of salt, instead of 2 1/4 tsps (as below).  You can add raisins to the dough before you roll it up later on (though. don't let the raisins be on the outside of the dough).

Set aside 6 cups bread flour (and 2 cups whole wheat flour) and then sift to remove any bugs.

In a mixing bowl.

1) Add 2 cups warm water.
2) Add 1/2 cup light brown sugar.
3) Add 1/4 cup honey.
4) Add 3 TB instant yeast.

--> Mix with an egg beater or fork.

5) Add one cup flour -- let rest until bubbles form (yeast needs to "warm-up").

--> Mix with an egg beater.

6) Add 1/2 cup gluten.
7) Add 1/4 cup oil.
8) Add two eggs.
9) Add one cup flour.

--> Mix with an egg beater.

10) Add 2 1/4 tsp of salt.  Don't forget the salt!

--> Attach bread kneading device (or use your hands).

11) Knead bread and add enough flour (about 5 cups) until bread is dry enough to handle with your hands. I usually let this go on about 5 to 10 minutes.
12) Remove from mixing bowl and knead a few minutes with your hands, adding enough flour to keep bread from being sticky (but don't add too much flour to make the dough dry).
13) Return to bowl.
14) Spray with canola oil. Cover with wax paper, and a light wet towel.  Put in a warm oven (60 C).
15) About 45 minutes later, the dough should have doubled in size.
16) Punch it down, and then use 2/3 of the dough for making two loafs, and the rest for making rolls. You can add a little bit of flour to keep it from being sticky.
17) Grease pans.
18) Spray dough with Canola oil.
19) About 45 minutes later, the dough should have doubled in size again.
20) Cook for 28 minutes on 190 C, until outside is hard to the touch.
21) Remove from oven, cool on racks until warm and then remove from baking pans.

Good Morning:

It is said that women are wise, wives are wiser, and young ladies are on their way to wisdom. Thus, it was with much appreciation when I heard from my wife and youngest daughter that winter had arrived, and that winter showers were on their way.  Not understanding that women (and even young ladies) can be impulsive,  I dutifully reported this weather-scoop to you.  True, our forecast maps did show some light rain, but a less emotional hand would have also held the wheel a little more firmly, tacking with the wind -- which was set to move the developing clouds into the late summer/dry desert air. Hence, a more wise word to the wind would have been: winter's here, but any rain drops will probably evaporate before reaching the ground.

Of course, men like to think that they are wise too.  In fact, many men equate money with wisdom, without considering how much more successful women just might be if they spent as much time "making a living" as men -- rather than ensuring that the next generation will know how to spend their money and time wisely and kindly.  If you're not convinced, a couple of examples will follow.

After falling on a slippery floor -- on her head, and being saved by the gallant, courageous, and intrepid Dr. Glick, my wife returned home with 11 stitches.  Being the wise person she is, she noted that the best way to treat accidents is to prevent them, and she sent me out for a floor mat.  Now, she was standing in front of the meat sink, so I immediately dashed out of the house, and was pleased to be able to purchase a spanking new (and quite ethestic ) floor mat from "Big-Deal" Efrat.  Returning truimphantly  to my house with this purchase, she reminded me that we have two sinks, to which I could only reply that she made her request standing in front of one (but not the other).

Another example:  I can be in the kitchen washing the dishes, emptying the dishwasher, cooking, or preparing school food, when the wife arrives.  These, one might think, are very useful things. Obviously, I am really not that smart, as I inevitably am told that I am in her way, and what am doing there at that time in particular, anyway.  A truly wise man would know when the wife is about to arrive and take appropriate action.

I will -- for a first -- wisely end here, but mention that there is absolutely no weather expected for the next two weeks. If expectations are not met, I'll let you know.

Barry Lynn