[Avodah] Where Bread Comes From

[Micha Berger]

On Areivim, we are discussing shlissel challah. (Challah with a key
baked inside used on the Shabbos after Pesach.) A segulah for parnassah.
One member wrote that she adopted the practice because, "when we recognize
from whence it comes, we hopefully can pray harder for it!" I suggested
that the timing, a reminder of Who holds the mafteiach for rain and
parnasah right before spring farming, is apt. (The minhag didn't arise
in Israel, where this would be the end of the rainy season. I don't know
if it would.)

Shlissel challah made it to the point of minhag in some parts of Eastern
Europe and Chasidus.

And it made it to "chumrah of the month" new chiyuv in the environs of
one of our Israeli members.

Then, of course, people objected to this notion.

To me, much of this discussion rings hollow. I have a similar problem
with RYBS's claim that Judaism doesn't have "rituals".

Do you wash your hands in particular order a particular number of times
before bread, and a different sequence upon waking up?

Does your qiddush on Shabbos start with the word "Barukh"? How about
havdalah? Why are you saying all those extra words?

How about Qabbalas Shabbos?

This notion that something is pointless because it's extrahalachic is
not how Judaism was ever done. Most of our minhagim started by people
adopting practices becuase they aid the practitioner's avodas Hashem.

(A minority are self-imposed siyagim, to avoid cheit by error or habit,
rather than to promote a thought.)

One could legitimately attack segulos on the grounds of tamim tihyeh,
and their implicit "al menas leqapel peras" atittude toward avodas
H'.

Or simply because we're changing fast enough right now to be weary of
all change.

But to object to someone adopting a practice that serves as a mnemonic
for bitachon? As I said, that's simply not how Judaism was ever done.
(To equivicate: Except, perhaps, among followers of the Rambam.)

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             Today is the 13th day, which is
micha at aishdas.org        1 week and 6 days in/toward the omer.
http://www.aishdas.org   Yesod sheb'Gevurah: To what extent is judgment
Fax: (270) 514-1507                   necessary for a good relationship?