[Avodah] Schlissel Challah

[Micha Berger via Avodah]

Since everyone has to have a schlissel chalah post...

Really I think it is about sources of yeast right after Pesach. There
was no starter dough, so people would use beer foam. Beer foam yeast is
too acrive for good dough. Fortunately, iron slows down yeast action. A
key is a small convenient piece of iron to throw into the mix.

But it is common for minhagim to be born from inventing reasons for
things people already do. In this case...

It relates to the key of rain and finances, described in Taanis 2, one of
the three (or two of the four) keys that Hashem never delegates. If so,
it is a reminder just as the wheat comes in, and. in the lands Ashkenazim
were living in too. (The fresh grass which becomes a milk abundance just
on time for Shavuos and Wittesmontag.) A reminder from Whom the spring
wealth comes. And to thank Him accordingly, rather than to take credit.

If so, ironically (for the naysayers), the custom is all about how wealth
comes directly from G-d, not via angels, spiritual mechanisms, or tricks.

Do you have a problem with dipping an apple in honey and other such
simanei milsa of Rosh haShanah? Those too are symbols.

The problem isn't with schlissel chalah. If people observed the custom
for the kinds of reasons listed in this post, there would be nothing
to object to. The problem I have is that it seems to have caught on
beyond the original community because of people having magical thinking,
trying to get HQBH to give them their wealth through segulah instead of
(rather as inspiration for) the hard and long work of earning reward
for being a better Jew.

:-)BBii!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             Today is the 13th day, which is
micha at aishdas.org        1 week and 6 days in/toward the omer.
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