Commentary on Parashat Eikev, Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25
Every week, Julie Seltzer, artist and Torah scribe, bakes a challah depicting an aspect of the week’s Torah portion.
A land of wheat and barley, and vines [grapes] and figs and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and [date] honey. (Deuteronomy 8:8)
אֶרֶץ חִטָּה וּשְׂערָה, וְגֶפֶן וּתְאֵנָה וְרִמּוֹן; אֶרֶץ-זֵית שֶׁמֶן, וּדְבָשׁ
The shape of the challah is of ancient Israel. Though you can’t tell by looking at it, the dough was made with all seven species.
challah
Pronounced: KHAH-luh, Origin: Hebrew, ceremonial bread eaten on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
Torah
Pronunced: TORE-uh, Origin: Hebrew, the Five Books of Moses.