Good Afternoon:
My wife took out her winter clothes and exchanged them for her summer clothes. She says that she is fed up with this weather and refuses to take it anymore.
Yesterday was chilly, windy, and showery, and today is definitely chilly. But, the sun is shining, and it should keep doing so for the next few days, and temperatures should moderate as well. When we look into May, though, we see another increase in humidity and that perhaps another weak "winter" storm that will bring a chance of thunderstorms followed by showers.
Some of you have might have noticed the yellow tint to the sky prior to Friday's storm. Yes, that was the color of dust, and the rain that fell was not the "pure rain" we've heard about and written about in poems.
There is supposed good news making the rounds of the internet (and newspapers). For instance, the Wall Street Journal editorializes (https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-new-antibody-evidence-11587769490?) that the apparent greater spread of the disease means the mortality rate is lower than the 3 -- 4 % estimated by the WHO. For example, the apparent mortality rate in the US is about 5.5%. It's possible that it is 10 times lower. However, in places that have done hundreds of thousands of tests, the infection is about 1 to 12% (e.g., UAE, Israel, Germany, and Italy (highest)). This is far from 50% that would lower the mortality rate from 5% to 0.5 or even less.
There are those who argue that if more people are already infected than we think that we'll be able to open the economy sooner. However, even if 10% of the population is already infected, that still leaves the rest who could become infected. Already the overall number of deaths is about twice that of the flu (in the US) and hospitals were already overwhelmed with patients. The end result could be many times higher unless a vaccine is developed and/or people continue to practice safe(r) hygiene (wear a mask, gloves, and wash their hands!).
Unfortunately, there is further information concerning the possible moribundity of the Coronavirus for even patients in their late 30s (https://www.timesofisrael.com/coronavirus-causing-strokes-in-some-younger-patients-report/). Researchers have found that some patients in their late 30s, 40s, and 50 are dying of strokes, and that 4 % and 8% of patients in the 40s and 50s require hospilization. So, government officials need to think very carefully about how they open the economy and allow social interactions, even among younger people. Moreover, there is evidence that people can become infected more than once.
As Ronald Reagan was fond of saying: "Trust and Verify" (https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/10/opinion/trust-but-verify.html). In this case, the government needs to test as many people as it can, people who have an inkling of feeling ill should stay home, and those who go out need to keep their distance from others. Then, the economy can hopefully be reopened wisely, while protecting the most vulnerable (older population).
One organization trying to implement safe practices is the Israel Defense Force. We dropped our daughter at the induction center in Jerusalem, and we were not allowed to stay, but waved goodbye from a distance. She like the other young women came with large suitcases stuffed with enough underwear to last a month (I wouldn't want to be that first pair worn, or even the second...). I left the drop-off zone feeling like I had forgotten something. I couldn't figure out what that might be, since I hadn't exactly "forgotten" my daughter as we drove away.
We look forward to seeing her again, but I have to admit that it wasn't easy to wave goodbye (even if only for a month). When I returned home, I put my oatmeal in the wrong bowl, and almost put milk in my orange juice. Looking at newly taken picture of her in her army uniform, I wondered if parents every really see their children as they seem themselves? Or, even as others see them?
If I had my druthers, parents would live with their kids (and vice versa), but this isn't very practical and perhaps not very healthy over the long term. Still, if we're all in Israel, you can only go so far in any direction. Besides: when I got into this business of raising kids it wasn't so she could always be the sweet child she is, but with the hope that she would grow up to be independent, wise, and a good parent herself. So, who is to complain?
My wife, actually. She sent me for an-other hearing test. For some time now, she's been complaining that I don't hear her. I was was agreement (what else could I say), so I went for the test. Much to my surprise, they said my hearing is pretty much like it was the last time she sent me -- not much change (not perfect, but certainly within the range of expected range of sounds at my age). She professes to be happy with the news, but I am not so sure. The strange thing is that I never complain that she doesn't hear me. I sometimes think that she doesn't listen to me, but that is a different kettle of fish (https://literarydevices.net/a-different-kettle-of-fish/) entirely!
Barry Lynn
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Weather It Is (The Perfect Challah Recipe)
Good Afternoon:
I am sure that everyone has gotten used to the beautiful weather. In fact, the beautiful weather will continue into late Wednesday. However, a cool front will pass through Wednesday night with the possibility of showers, and then an unusually strong winter-like storm is forecast to move southward Friday and Shabbat. This storm will bring a chill to the air and local showers, as well as the possibility of thunderstorm. Perhaps, the weather will be in the news once again.
While everyone is speaking about the Coronavirus, I'd like to bring to your attention a couple of other viruses that are worth mentioning. In fact, they have been with us for quite some time, and there doesn't seem to be a treatment or a vaccine for them.
The first is the virus of hatred. It's called Hatrovirus, and it's thousands of years old, but infected the local Arab inhabitants about 100 years ago. Some people call it "anti-semitism" or Jew hatred. For instance, there has been ongoing coordination between the Palestinian and Israeli governments to fight the pandemic (https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-praises-excellent-israeli-palestinian-cooperation-in-fight-against-pandemic/). Yet, the Palestinian Prime Minister still found the time to "blame the Jews' for the need to cooperate at all (https://www.timesofisrael.com/pa-dismisses-warnings-to-cease-virus-incitement-campaign-against-israel/). On the other side, Hamas found the time to build a new hospital -- oops, I mean they found time to build a very long attack tunnel (https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-reveals-how-its-winning-the-battle-against-hamass-gaza-attack-tunnels/). Of course, if you set your priorities right, you'll be sure to ask the Israeli government for ventilators (https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hamas-wants-ventilators-as-part-of-prisoner-swap-deal-report/)) so that tunnel builders can be tended to if needed.
The second is the virus of optimism. This OptoVirus appears to have infected the Israeli leadership (and even many Israelis) at the time of the Oslo Accords (1994), but returned even more virulently after the exit from Gaza. Most recently, Israel arranged for Qatar to again deliver money to Hamas for supposed dispersal to needy families (https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-since-virus-emerged-in-gaza-banks-deliver-qatari-grants-to-poor/). I assume that these are the folks who would be better at studying at university (if there was one) than building tunnels. In the meantime, watch out for this virus because it causes insanity (https://professorbuzzkill.com/einstein-insanity-qnq/).
On the other hand, if not for this optimistic nature, who would have thought that the Jewish people could have risen from the ashes of the Holocaust? Quite frankly, the Jewish people were "infected" with optimism back when they decided it was time to leave Egypt.
On a lighter note: while I am sure that there are many people who missed out on their Passover trips and outings, there was one benefit that should be mentioned. There was a complete lack of pressure to do something. You see, in Israel, we have only one day off a week, and for the religious there are actually no days off. This means that when there is an opportunity to go somewhere, we MUST go somewhere.
It felt relaxing to not to have this pressure to go somewhere. It reminds me of Sunday's off when I was a kid, where I could decide to do something if I wanted to do something.
In the past year, we've actually had three "Sundays Off," or actually three election days. Why don't we have Sunday off (other than because of religious concerns about copying the non-Jewish world's "day of rest")? Or, why don't we have at least one day off a month, i.e, the week of the new month? It's because the manufacturing association says that the economy (really they) will lose money. Hence, even though we just imagined that we just came out of Egypt again, we're still slaves to the powers that run our economy (and lever the government). Thus, even though we are now supposed to be free men (and women) in our own land, we are actually slaves of sorts.
Of course, I know that these days were also days of stress, and it was great to read that the government will be "opening up" the economy. Besides getting people back to work, this means that there will be more pollution and more noise, an unfortunate byproduct of an functioning economy. While there is still time, I suggest that you take a moment and listen to the quiet. You might find that the quiet is filled with song. In fact, this is a great opportunity for even those with a small voice, or even an off tune tweet to find a mate. People have written about a potential baby boom about nine months from now, but one shouldn't overlook all the new young men who just may find their feathered sweetheart -- whose voices would have been unheard of in usual circumstances. It would be like what would have happened had I never come to Israel -- no blog, but especially no kids. So, keep an eye out for those birds.
We just finished Passover, and we're on our way to Shavuot. I had a thought that Passover -- while a joyous holiday -- is supposed to instill in us a feeling of humility. We eat Matza, which is a "bread" baked before it can become leavened, or full of hot air -- or false pride. In contrast, on Shavuot, when we have received the Torah, which provides us with the rules to live our lives as both religious and good people. We have a "right" to feel puffed up, so we eat Challot.
Here's a recipe for the Perfect Challah. It makes 1 Challah and 5 Challah Rolls. For a bread machine, add the ingredients in the order listed. For a mixer, add the yeast to the first 5 ingredients, and let sit for a few minutes to activate the yeast.
Here's a recipe for the Perfect Challah.
1) 1 1/3 cup water
2) 1/4 cup sugar
3) 1 Tb Honey
4) 2 Tb Canola Oil
5) 1 egg
6) 1 1/2 Tb Salt
7) 1 1/2 cups white flour
8) 1 cup whole wheat flour
9) 1 cup Spelt flour
10) 1 TB Gluten (or use high gluten white flour)
11) 2 1/2 tsp dry "instant yeast"
For a bread machine: add the first six ingredients, and the last ingredients afterwards on top.
Set to the dough setting, and let rise (around 1 1/2 hours total on the bread machine setting). When removing from the baking dish, use a bit of flour to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands.
For a mixer:
If you’ll be kneading in a mixer with a dough hook, combine wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls. Then add the wet ingredients to the mixer bowl on the bottom, followed by the dry ingredients. Operate the mixer with a dough hook, and start the timer when both wet and dry ingredients are combined. Knead with a dough hook for a maximum of 7 minutes, no more. The dough should be slightly stick. When removing the dough or kneading, coat hands with flour to keep the dough from sticking. If kneading by hand do not exceed 10 minutes. Let rise until double the size.
Continuing for both mixer and bread machine:
Divide into one large Challah and 5 rolls (about 2/3 & 1/3 of the dough). Brush with an egg mixed with oil, and sprinkle on toppings.
Heat your oven to a temperature that is ideal for yeast to propagate. This is about 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 degrees Celcius. Some say as much as 37 Celcius (97.8 Fahrenheit).
Let double in size again (about 30 minutes or so), and then cook at 180 Celcius for 30 minutes (in preheated oven).
To make more Challah than suggested (2 Challot and some rolls), add one more egg, 1/4 cup more liquid, and about 1 cup more flour. Check for consistency. The dough should be firm to the touch, but your finger should be able to indent it, without sticking to the dough.
I am sure that everyone has gotten used to the beautiful weather. In fact, the beautiful weather will continue into late Wednesday. However, a cool front will pass through Wednesday night with the possibility of showers, and then an unusually strong winter-like storm is forecast to move southward Friday and Shabbat. This storm will bring a chill to the air and local showers, as well as the possibility of thunderstorm. Perhaps, the weather will be in the news once again.
While everyone is speaking about the Coronavirus, I'd like to bring to your attention a couple of other viruses that are worth mentioning. In fact, they have been with us for quite some time, and there doesn't seem to be a treatment or a vaccine for them.
The first is the virus of hatred. It's called Hatrovirus, and it's thousands of years old, but infected the local Arab inhabitants about 100 years ago. Some people call it "anti-semitism" or Jew hatred. For instance, there has been ongoing coordination between the Palestinian and Israeli governments to fight the pandemic (https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-praises-excellent-israeli-palestinian-cooperation-in-fight-against-pandemic/). Yet, the Palestinian Prime Minister still found the time to "blame the Jews' for the need to cooperate at all (https://www.timesofisrael.com/pa-dismisses-warnings-to-cease-virus-incitement-campaign-against-israel/). On the other side, Hamas found the time to build a new hospital -- oops, I mean they found time to build a very long attack tunnel (https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-reveals-how-its-winning-the-battle-against-hamass-gaza-attack-tunnels/). Of course, if you set your priorities right, you'll be sure to ask the Israeli government for ventilators (https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hamas-wants-ventilators-as-part-of-prisoner-swap-deal-report/)) so that tunnel builders can be tended to if needed.
The second is the virus of optimism. This OptoVirus appears to have infected the Israeli leadership (and even many Israelis) at the time of the Oslo Accords (1994), but returned even more virulently after the exit from Gaza. Most recently, Israel arranged for Qatar to again deliver money to Hamas for supposed dispersal to needy families (https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-since-virus-emerged-in-gaza-banks-deliver-qatari-grants-to-poor/). I assume that these are the folks who would be better at studying at university (if there was one) than building tunnels. In the meantime, watch out for this virus because it causes insanity (https://professorbuzzkill.com/einstein-insanity-qnq/).
On the other hand, if not for this optimistic nature, who would have thought that the Jewish people could have risen from the ashes of the Holocaust? Quite frankly, the Jewish people were "infected" with optimism back when they decided it was time to leave Egypt.
On a lighter note: while I am sure that there are many people who missed out on their Passover trips and outings, there was one benefit that should be mentioned. There was a complete lack of pressure to do something. You see, in Israel, we have only one day off a week, and for the religious there are actually no days off. This means that when there is an opportunity to go somewhere, we MUST go somewhere.
It felt relaxing to not to have this pressure to go somewhere. It reminds me of Sunday's off when I was a kid, where I could decide to do something if I wanted to do something.
In the past year, we've actually had three "Sundays Off," or actually three election days. Why don't we have Sunday off (other than because of religious concerns about copying the non-Jewish world's "day of rest")? Or, why don't we have at least one day off a month, i.e, the week of the new month? It's because the manufacturing association says that the economy (really they) will lose money. Hence, even though we just imagined that we just came out of Egypt again, we're still slaves to the powers that run our economy (and lever the government). Thus, even though we are now supposed to be free men (and women) in our own land, we are actually slaves of sorts.
Of course, I know that these days were also days of stress, and it was great to read that the government will be "opening up" the economy. Besides getting people back to work, this means that there will be more pollution and more noise, an unfortunate byproduct of an functioning economy. While there is still time, I suggest that you take a moment and listen to the quiet. You might find that the quiet is filled with song. In fact, this is a great opportunity for even those with a small voice, or even an off tune tweet to find a mate. People have written about a potential baby boom about nine months from now, but one shouldn't overlook all the new young men who just may find their feathered sweetheart -- whose voices would have been unheard of in usual circumstances. It would be like what would have happened had I never come to Israel -- no blog, but especially no kids. So, keep an eye out for those birds.
We just finished Passover, and we're on our way to Shavuot. I had a thought that Passover -- while a joyous holiday -- is supposed to instill in us a feeling of humility. We eat Matza, which is a "bread" baked before it can become leavened, or full of hot air -- or false pride. In contrast, on Shavuot, when we have received the Torah, which provides us with the rules to live our lives as both religious and good people. We have a "right" to feel puffed up, so we eat Challot.
Here's a recipe for the Perfect Challah. It makes 1 Challah and 5 Challah Rolls. For a bread machine, add the ingredients in the order listed. For a mixer, add the yeast to the first 5 ingredients, and let sit for a few minutes to activate the yeast.
Here's a recipe for the Perfect Challah.
1) 1 1/3 cup water
2) 1/4 cup sugar
3) 1 Tb Honey
4) 2 Tb Canola Oil
5) 1 egg
6) 1 1/2 Tb Salt
7) 1 1/2 cups white flour
8) 1 cup whole wheat flour
9) 1 cup Spelt flour
10) 1 TB Gluten (or use high gluten white flour)
11) 2 1/2 tsp dry "instant yeast"
For a bread machine: add the first six ingredients, and the last ingredients afterwards on top.
Set to the dough setting, and let rise (around 1 1/2 hours total on the bread machine setting). When removing from the baking dish, use a bit of flour to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands.
For a mixer:
If you’ll be kneading in a mixer with a dough hook, combine wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls. Then add the wet ingredients to the mixer bowl on the bottom, followed by the dry ingredients. Operate the mixer with a dough hook, and start the timer when both wet and dry ingredients are combined. Knead with a dough hook for a maximum of 7 minutes, no more. The dough should be slightly stick. When removing the dough or kneading, coat hands with flour to keep the dough from sticking. If kneading by hand do not exceed 10 minutes. Let rise until double the size.
Continuing for both mixer and bread machine:
Divide into one large Challah and 5 rolls (about 2/3 & 1/3 of the dough). Brush with an egg mixed with oil, and sprinkle on toppings.
Heat your oven to a temperature that is ideal for yeast to propagate. This is about 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 degrees Celcius. Some say as much as 37 Celcius (97.8 Fahrenheit).
Let double in size again (about 30 minutes or so), and then cook at 180 Celcius for 30 minutes (in preheated oven).
To make more Challah than suggested (2 Challot and some rolls), add one more egg, 1/4 cup more liquid, and about 1 cup more flour. Check for consistency. The dough should be firm to the touch, but your finger should be able to indent it, without sticking to the dough.
Barry Lynn
Monday, April 13, 2020
Weather It Is (The Absolutely Best Passover Pancakes)
Good Morning:
After a very nice April rain, our weather has turned really nice. Temperatures will continue to moderate over the next week to 10 days, and with the exception of the end of this week when a few showers might dot the landscape, skies should be mostly sunny with light winds.
It will be perfect weather to head out to the parks and beaches, or take a long walk or bike ride.
Except we can't because we're not allowed.
Yet, I finally realized what makes this country great. People don't follow the rules -- especially if they feel they don't suit them. For instance, our Prime Minister (the one who is under indictment) invited his son (who does not live with him) to visit for his Passover Seder. Our Health! Minister went to pray in a Minyon (group), and our President invited family members to join him. Our previous Minster of Defense described the rules as stupid, so he also invited family members.
As they say, rules are made to be broken -- unless the police decide otherwise -- and sometimes rules or our "set ways" do need to be "bent" to accomplish an important goal or task in record time, for instance. Yet, there is something disconcerting about those who are telling us to stay home and who left their grand parents by themselves are themselves breaking the rules. Or, as the joke goes: the only one in jail is ourselves -- not our Prime Minister.
I too broke the rules: I changed the ingredients of a recipe I found for Pesach (Passover) pancakes, It is based on "Shalvie's Passover Pancakes." I use Matza Cake Meal instead of Matza Meal. I used sour milk instead of plain milk (leftover from making butter, but you can make it yourself by adding 1 Tablespoon lemon juice to milk). I added baking powder and sugar (instead of vanilla sugar). I omitted the chocolate chips. It make about 16 nice sized pancakes (after doubling some of the authors listed ingredients).
Ingredients
4 eggs
1 cup Matza Cake Meal.
1/2 cup almond meal
1 tsp baking powder (kosher for Pesach)
1 Heaping Tablespoon Sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sour milk (or milk, if you prefer)
Directions
1. Beat Eggs until blended
2. Add rest of ingredients to eggs
3. Mix until smooth (with spoon)
4. Add margarine to pan.
5. Cook on medium heat until brown and bubbly; flip and cook to brown bottom side.
Eat and Enjoy!
Barry Lynn
After a very nice April rain, our weather has turned really nice. Temperatures will continue to moderate over the next week to 10 days, and with the exception of the end of this week when a few showers might dot the landscape, skies should be mostly sunny with light winds.
It will be perfect weather to head out to the parks and beaches, or take a long walk or bike ride.
Except we can't because we're not allowed.
Yet, I finally realized what makes this country great. People don't follow the rules -- especially if they feel they don't suit them. For instance, our Prime Minister (the one who is under indictment) invited his son (who does not live with him) to visit for his Passover Seder. Our Health! Minister went to pray in a Minyon (group), and our President invited family members to join him. Our previous Minster of Defense described the rules as stupid, so he also invited family members.
As they say, rules are made to be broken -- unless the police decide otherwise -- and sometimes rules or our "set ways" do need to be "bent" to accomplish an important goal or task in record time, for instance. Yet, there is something disconcerting about those who are telling us to stay home and who left their grand parents by themselves are themselves breaking the rules. Or, as the joke goes: the only one in jail is ourselves -- not our Prime Minister.
I too broke the rules: I changed the ingredients of a recipe I found for Pesach (Passover) pancakes, It is based on "Shalvie's Passover Pancakes." I use Matza Cake Meal instead of Matza Meal. I used sour milk instead of plain milk (leftover from making butter, but you can make it yourself by adding 1 Tablespoon lemon juice to milk). I added baking powder and sugar (instead of vanilla sugar). I omitted the chocolate chips. It make about 16 nice sized pancakes (after doubling some of the authors listed ingredients).
Ingredients
4 eggs
1 cup Matza Cake Meal.
1/2 cup almond meal
1 tsp baking powder (kosher for Pesach)
1 Heaping Tablespoon Sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sour milk (or milk, if you prefer)
Directions
1. Beat Eggs until blended
2. Add rest of ingredients to eggs
3. Mix until smooth (with spoon)
4. Add margarine to pan.
5. Cook on medium heat until brown and bubbly; flip and cook to brown bottom side.
Eat and Enjoy!
Barry Lynn
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