Schlissel challah is all the rage this week.

What is it all about and why are people making challahs in the shape of keys?

The custom to bake shlissel challah for the first Shabbos after Pesach/Passover is a long-standing one. To quote the Sefer HaTodah by R’Eliyahu Kitov: "The Shabbat after Pesach…we have the custom to make challah in the form of a key…which symbolizes that the *key* to our parnassa [livelihood] is in Hashem’s (G-d’s) hands. We pray that Hashem will…shower us with abundance.” (from Tamar Ansch)

Much like the customs of dipping in the Mikveh after a woman who is her 9th month of pregnancy and being a kvatter (person who carries the baby into the room) for a bris, these ideas are beautiful, but they are not part of Jewish Law. Therefore, there is no obligation to do them.

And it certainly doesn’t mean that you will be punished if you do NOT do them.

So, make the challah. Or don’t. Either way is totally okay.

But what if you want to do something to get try to get a message to G-d? What if you’re searching for some kind of meaningful connection?

One idea is to pray while lighting Shabbos candles on Friday night, as it is an especially auspicious time for personal reflections and requests.

You can daven (pray) or meditate on any of these things.

"I have the power to ignite light in my home.
I have the power to bring peace into my life.
I have the power to bring calm into my home.
I have the power to be present in the moment.

This is my time to ask for health and for children.
This is my time to recall the week gone by.
This is my time to pray for the week ahead.
This is my time to be thankful and hopeful.

Lighting these candles is my power. This is my time to let all my blessings catch up with me."

Thinking of each of you and hoping that G-d brings you only good things very soon.