Hafrashat Challah for the Hostages at the Western Wall
Last night I was at the Kotel when a young woman carrying a pot called out, “Hafrashat Challah for the Hostages!” Before long this young woman, whom I later found out is named Nili Grutman-Eshet, was surrounded by around 30 women prepared to respond Amen to her heartfelt prayer to release each hostage.
Afterward Nili told me that before the war she never made Challah, but since October 7th, every Thursday evening she prepares Challah dough and brings it down in her pot to the Kotel from her home in the Jewish Quarter.
I thought this was incredible.
Just like women at work in their homes are often compared to the Priests serving in the Holy Temple, so too in Nili’s hands, in Nili’s heart, that pot, that dough, is the vessel for her weekly sacrifice to the Most High.
After October 7th, she thought what can I do to help the hostages? I’m not a soldier. I’m not a politician. I have young children, and don’t have so much time to say Tehillim.
But I do have a pot. And I do have flour and water and yeast. And I do live near the Kotel. And I do have a list of the hostages.
In the merit of Nili’s sincere efforts, and the efforts of countless others like her who are doing what they can, small actions performed with monumental sincerity, may the hostages, with healthy bodies and spirits, please return home!
[Here is the link to the most updated list of hostage’s names, please print up so you can join me in praying for them after lighting Shabbat candles https://docs.google.com/…/17THtOfa0CncuwloJOEXl…/edit… ]
Thank you!