Once the dough overcomes the lumps and turns silky, establish a
regular push, pull rhythm and coordinate it with your breathing. As
you slowly slide the dough away from you, remember it is made from a
recipe that has been developed over centuries. Connect with its past
and become conscious of the strength. As you pull it in, open your
heart to the thousands of bakers in this world who have made exactly
the same bread the same way. Push out, conecting with the past, and
pull in, feeling the force that enters you. When the kneading time is
almost finished, bow down your head in thanks, actually burying your
forehead in the mass warmed by the energy that has entered through
your thoughts and arms. With the top of your face embedded in that
dough, you may feel the urge to cry, or laugh, it is all OK and has
all been done before by sandal clad bakers in the desert.
There is nothing like baking challah.
Baked love,
Mike in Havana