Week in the Life: Preparing for Shabbat | Sabbath Prep | Orthodox Jewish Mom (Jar of Fireflies)

[@jaroffireflies]

How has your week been so far?

[@tracyl1368]

Tea is the answer to all problems lol

[@tracyl1368]

Loved the aubergines (egg plant)

[@jaroffireflies]

@@tracyl1368 tea is definitely the answer! So glad you liked the eggplants :) I never much liked them till my husband prepared them, so delicious!

[@sallyannandrade5672]

Hi Chana,what a beautiful video...just lovely Sara-Chana xx

[@jaroffireflies]

@@sallyannandrade5672 thank you so much!

[@cathy2142]

Home made pop tarts❤. You are the best mama! So nice of you to help with food allergies😊

[@SonyasPrep]

What a great video!! Love seeing Shabbat Prep videos. Gives me loads of inspiration. It would be so great to see detailed video recipes of your husbands salads and the Moroccan Fish. Everything looked so super delicious.

[@jaroffireflies]

I’m planning on it! My husband said he would cook for us so I just have to film lol I’m excited to get those videos made!

[@SonyasPrep]

@@jaroffireflies thats awesome, cant wait

[@jaroffireflies]

@@SonyasPrep 😊😊😊

[@ImazABoss]

Yes please!! The moroccan fish looks devine!

[@mariagogan9885]

First, I love your green headscarf! ❤️ My husband loves to cook as well and it's a blessing that I don't have to do it all the time. Since my children are grown, we've been letting them do the cooking more. My daughter has found a great teriyaki chicken that was good. I'm hoping she grows to love cooking. My week consists of work, coming home and putting my feet up. I've got unhappy legs so I finally let my husband help me. We also have my grandson that plays all evening with me. He brings all his favorite toys that day in and we play dinosaur, sharks, and monster trucks until bath, then bed. Blessings to you this week and always.

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you Maria! Take care

[@LydiaKnudsen]

I love how you honor your husband.

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you 😊

[@aroshaweerakkody3891]

How much I love to be your neighbour and get invited to your lovely shabbat meals🥰 and so lovely to see your hubby helps with cooking and shopping, bless him💙

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I wouldn't say he helps with cooking, I'd say I help him lol He's our main chef for sure!

[@aroshaweerakkody3891]

@@jaroffireflies ❤ I am so glad I found your channel.

[@SusanP674]

Thank you for sharing your life!

[@jaroffireflies]

💜💜💜

[@lisalowery4849]

It's so nice to see your husband!

[@catherinenunan3584]

Hello Chana! I know that this comment is months later but this was so interesting, sensible and helpful. I like your advice to start slow. I am the type to go full on at anything and then feel disappointed at the result so this was good for me. I am the only practising Christian in my home but my husband is very supportive of my faith, and I am raising Iris (granddaughter) that way too. I told her that we can also say Hashem, she likes the sound of that. I want to start Sabbath as it is a commandment and I feel we all need a day of rest from our lives. Thank you for the ideas. Certainly a day off laundry appeals to me! I hope you are all well.

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you so much for your kind comment:) I’m so glad this video is helpful for you! Enjoy your sabbath experience 💜

[@juliehowell8251]

Rewatching your videos Chana. Love your positive outlook and resilience. Wish the very best for the Firefly family! May you know the peace of God❤

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you so much Julie!

[@flowerpower8992]

Hi from England chana Wow! What an incredible insight into how you prepare for Shabbat.. The food looks so good...

[@jaroffireflies]

So glad you enjoyed! Thank you for your lovely comment!

[@victoriaperkins7219]

Oh this is so helpful. Makes going into Shabbat calm and organized.

[@jaroffireflies]

I’m so glad it was helpful!!! 💜

[@michellesunshinestar]

Those poptarts look so good. Usually I don't like the store kind.

[@jaroffireflies]

They were super tasty

[@ALifeFullofMeaning]

This was such an interesting watch! I loved watching your food prep.

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I’m so glad you enjoyed it :) I’m planning to go into more detail on the food prep in future videos so stay tuned!

[@Shenanigans_Afoot]

LOL you finally got him on video. I like how you both work as a team :) Maybe one day he'd be willing to share the recipe for the Moroccan fish?

[@jaroffireflies]

I definitely will! He told me he would cook so I could film him making the fish!

[@Shenanigans_Afoot]

@@jaroffireflies Yes, I can't wait. It looks so good. :D

[@jaroffireflies]

@@Shenanigans_Afoot 😊😊😊

[@arleneg1271]

Thanksgiving every week.....wow, that is a lot of work but very meaningful. for you and your family. Loved seeing your husband cooking! I made a home made chocolate cake for a friend's birthday and had them over last night. It was delicious but reminded me of why I do not bake a lot as I like to eat it a lot.lol Nothing is as good as homemade as you will attest!!

[@jaroffireflies]

Homemade is definitely the best! Your chocolate cake sounds super delicious! What a lucky friend :)

[@avivamaryles1081]

Loved the hubby cameo!

[@jaroffireflies]

Thanks! I would have a totally different Shabbat prep without him lol And you’ll see more of him in future videos, he says he’ll do some cooking videos with me!

[@athomeimmum2247]

The bread looks great! (& you never need a reason for a cup of tea!)

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you! And I totally agree with you about the tea ☕️❤️

[@ImazABoss]

Have you seen these awesome silicone challah molds that exist?!! They're great for grain free/gf challot that needs to be poured instead of braided, but the mold makes it look braided! I think it's great. Btw I'd love to know what your gf recipe is. I make wheat challah and also gf for when my daughter visits, but it's just ok-not fabulous. I've tried a few gf recipes and different things such as a paleo based grain free which comes out pretty impressive, but has to be eaten that night. The texture turns hard as nails the following day and it doesn't freeze well.

[@jaroffireflies]

@@ImazABoss I have! I have the small round silicone pan, but I’d like to get the loaf size one. And yes, I share my bread recipe! I have a video let me pull the link for you...

[@jaroffireflies]

@@ImazABoss kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoG4q5qDh5l9qrc

[@munkin93]

I am loving the Shabbat videos!! Also you and your hubs are super cute. 😁

[@jaroffireflies]

Awww ☺️ Thank you so much!!!!

[@TheMuirite]

Is it possible Mr Firefly would be willing and have time do a cooking segment? PLEASE. I really want to lean how to make Moroccan fish, there's a family that I used to go by at least once a month that made the best fish but with our quarantine issues no get togethers for a while in my area.

[@jaroffireflies]

He told me he would! It’s in the works!

[@jaroffireflies]

@@user-bw3fl7fj9w right? That may be his new nickname

[@user-rm4yd2cl2k]

Thank you so much! I loved seeing your routine! Here’s my Shabbat tips list if it’s helpful sharing: -getting an extra small tub freezer, and focusing on one pot, one pan, and cold food meals. My mom, for Shabbat and Holidays, would do the first evening meal ‘hot’ so that means food off the stove, and before the evening starts she would set out tea light pot warmers to keep the food on the table warm all night long (in winter Shabbat can even start at 3:30 in the afternoon depending on where you live!) and for the daytime Shabbat day we would eat foods that taste good cold and at room temperature; like great breads, salads, Malabi (which is a traditional cold dessert) and cake. Fun fact the slow cooker or crock pot we all know and love today was actually invented by a Jew to keep Shabbat in the 1800’s! Setting it with the hearty soup or Chamin as Chana does on Friday afternoon will give you a flavourful medley on Shabbat day. The freezer is your second best friend to make ahead on a less busy day, like Tuesday for example. ;) -I have an approximate schedule, Chana has an amazing schedule. Here’s a sample one as another example, sub in whatever you’d like: Sunday: online orders, answering emails, Shabbat menu planning, pantry check, ideas for Shabbat table (like decorations, and Torah /Jewish subjects to talk about) make a guest list. Monday: call guests, start preparing the easy frozen food (like fish) get kids/family/spouse/yourself, into actually making or preparing the ideas for the Shabbat table. So if you’re going to discuss a special Jewish value, learn a bit today. Tuesday: laundry day, finalize who’s coming, make a grocery list of whatever you’re missing. Wednesday: grocery shopping for the week and Shabbat, wrap up odds and ends like errands, appointments, meetings. Thursday: clean the house, make your challah dough or the entire challah, start on your mains for the meal. Friday: call up everyone you love to wish them a Shabbat Shalom and ask how their week was. Finish cleaning up the house. Get flowers or something nice for the table if you can. Decorate if you can. Finish up the food, set the table. I remember a tradition to donate food before Shabbat to someone who needs it (theJewish family services unit in your city can help with this) then start Shabbat! Thanks a ton Chana! I love watching your videos! And I love the foods you guys serve!!!! Someone once told me that herb or garlic bread goes Amazing with this kind of fish, and now seeing your video has got me hungry to try that! The food looked so good! Toda Raba!!!!

[@jaroffireflies]

What great tips! Thank you! So glad you enjoyed:) Shavua tov!

[@WALLOFDESTINY]

I love watching your channel! So inspiring!

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that!

[@jeaniedenton-smith1041]

I truly enjoyed seeing your day to day preparations for Shabbat! By the way, Green is definitely your color!

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you so much!!! I do love to wear green :)

[@manyalevine1017]

That is definitely the best day of doing it. Here is a tip, use the same method in preparing for pesach. Start now and do a bit every week... That way u get to pesach realy calm with almost everything ready physically mentally and spiritualy

[@jaroffireflies]

Calm is key! That way like you said, you can be ready spiritually and physically and be able to enjoy the process 💜

[@lindamundy3812]

Thank you for this information. I'm a 71year old Catholic but I find Jewish culture and practices fascinating. I take the Judeo-Christian designation seriously.

[@jaroffireflies]

You are so welcome!

[@Belushi87]

it’s great to finally meet your husband.

[@jaroffireflies]

I’m so glad he’s finally starting to make some appearances too lol

[@Gonetomars]

I definitely need to start Shabbat prep earlier. Trying to cram everything into Friday just doesn’t work with little ones around.

[@jaroffireflies]

Definitely! Little ones make everything at least twice as long to do lol I like that I can mainly just work on cleaning on Fridays because everything else is done

[@ImazABoss]

Same. I keep telling myself I'm going to start sooner every week, but then there I am Friday cramming. It's especially wild during winter where I live since Shabbos comes in so early.

[@deborahcook7652]

Loved... learning to prep more during the week. Just found out I have now got to go gluten free so will definitely be checking out more of your recipes. Tuesday the dress...do you have a brand name...loved it.

[@jaroffireflies]

So glad you liked the video! The Tuesday dress is from April Cornell, it’s on sale too! I have a cooking playlist you should check out

[@isihosena635]

Hey, I have the same candle holders :D they're so beautiful, so simple and elegant but still very cosy haha Also how good does all the fresh produce look? Makes you want to cook delicious aromatic dishes and as it looks, you did just that! Shavua tov to you and your lovely family!

[@jaroffireflies]

Shavua tov! You have great taste in candle holders 😁

[@aidele5757]

Great video!!, I was actually wondering if you prepped for shabbos every day, and if so, how? And here it is!😀😀😀

[@jaroffireflies]

Don’t you just love it when things work out like that??? 😁😁😁

[@batya-chana9911]

I love that you have a staple meal. I’m always planning and redoing my Shabbat menu. I prepare all week. I make a dish a day, depending what we have and if we have guest. For the most part my week is filled with getting ready for Shabbat. I may do a video of my prep. One thing I do that make Shabbat special but is a lot of work is I have special bedding that we only use on Shabbat and I take it off on Sunday. It’s something my mom did so I do. But it is a lot of extra work. Can you share that Moroccan fish recipe? Seen lots of them on line but they never really have that rue flavor like my dads was.

[@jaroffireflies]

So interesting about the bedding! I’ve never heard of anyone doing that before! Thank you for sharing 💜

[@batya-chana9911]

@@jaroffireflies Its more work than it is worth it but my mom tried to make sure we understood that the day was different from all the rest of the week. It worked. I try to keep it up but there are times when I just don't get to change all the beds. LOL

[@jaroffireflies]

@@batya-chana9911 That would definitely be a lot of work!

[@3hearts1lifeyo-yo42]

Love your GS shirt. I'm a troop leader to a group of soon to be 1st year Jrs. We are bridging end of Aug. I have been Binge-watching your videos. I love seeing how y'all do Shabbat. I am in the process of converting (Reform) and will be going to the mikvah in October (G-d willing). I was wondering, your Shabbat candles/oil, what are the other 4 for?

[@jaroffireflies]

That's so exciting! Good luck on your conversion. I hope it is a wonderful experience for you! To answer your question, I light my two candles, then I light a candle for each of my kids, then I light two tea lights for the babies we lost, then my daughter lights a candle as well (sort of a practice thing, its a charade custom I read about and I loved it so my daughter started doing that with me when she turned 3). Edit to add: It is a common custom at least among Orthodox to light an extra candle for each child one has

[@3hearts1lifeyo-yo42]

@@jaroffireflies Shabbat Shalom! Oh that makes since! That is a sweet idea, one for each. I really like that. I’m so sorry to hear that you lost two babies. I have lost one. I have a candle I light for Harper when I’m thinking of him or having a bad day. I had it made by a candle maker out at Texas Renaissance Festival. Have a safe and happy Shabbat.

[@jaroffireflies]

@@3hearts1lifeyo-yo42 Shabbat shalom! I am so sorry for your loss! Sending love and hugs!

[@camcas727]

Always surprises me that in America you don’t hang the washing outside on a clothes line to dry. I am in Australia and would only use my dryer in winter on a cold rainy day.

[@suzanneedmonds1566]

@camcas727 I found the lack of clothes lines (miss the good old Hills Hoist) strange when I moved to America from Australia. Not that no one uses them here but they are very rare indeed, at least where I live. Mind you in some states here that have heavy winters driers are a necessity.

[@ellenhomeister7374]

Love your GF challah and GF ideas. Just started GF this week, hopeful to improve health due to Hashimoto’s. Will be making Challah-GF. What loaf pans do you prefer? Size, brand, materials?

[@jaroffireflies]

I use a variety of pans and they all work just fine. From silicone to disposable to my nice Williams Sonoma pans 💜 Have you seen my GF challah video? Lots of tips there! Here’s a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoG4q5qDh5l9qrc

[@ellenhomeister7374]

@@jaroffireflies yes the challah video is great. Thanks for the tips.

[@jaroffireflies]

@@ellenhomeister7374 great! Enjoy!

[@iceprincess2134]

Do you pretty much stick to the same meals for the High Holy Days as well? I can't seem to decide if I want to do that or try something different each time. I love all the different regional traditions.

[@jaroffireflies]

We definitely make the same salads for the holidays. We still make the fish if a holiday falls on Shabbat, but for all our other meals we try to mix it up and use different meats prepared different ways. We generally don’t have hamin on a holiday that falls on Shabbat.

[@isihosena635]

Maybe just have some recipes you know you like and will work if things get hectic or anything goes wrong and decide each holiday if you have the time and energy to try a new recipe or if it's better to stick to the classics :)

[@jaroffireflies]

@@isihosena635 luckily nothing has ever gone too wrong at least as far as a main dish goes lol

[@jaroffireflies]

@@user-bw3fl7fj9w I enjoy the traditional foods of my husbands family almost as much as I enjoy that he cooks them all :) I cook all week and am fine with the break. Sometimes I’ll contribute more, but mainly it’s all him. Fried chicken is everyone’s fav addition. In a recent Shabbat prep video I made fried chicken for dinner and my husband did not make the fish. So it happens, just not often :)

[@Gonetomars]

In my family we have a meal we stick to every year for Pesach, and another for the Erev Rosh Hashana seder. With everything else going on around then it makes it so much simpler to not have to think about the menu!

[@fordmusclecar]

I like when you show your husband

[@jaroffireflies]

😊 you’ll probably see him more in future videos.

[@fordmusclecar]

@@jaroffireflies he’s very handsome ! Jewish men make good husbands ❤️

[@jaroffireflies]

@@fordmusclecar I completely agree! 😊

[@tehilash7292]

@@fordmusclecar well...in my experience they have caulify as good jewish men to make good husbands 😊

[@laura23678]

I thought your husband was chopping the garlic directly on your kitchen surfaces for a second 😱🤣

[@jaroffireflies]

🤣 Oh my he would never!

[@alephtaph]

Thank you so much for these wonderful insights. We as a family are starting to celebrate Shabbat and talking about giyur. I have a question ant I hope it comes out the right way. Since I’m still learning, does your husband not wear Tzitziot? And really, this is not offensive or anything but just the desire to learn. Have a blessed week.

[@jaroffireflies]

Hello! Great question! Yes, my husband wears tzitzit. He wears them entirely under his clothing though as is the Sephardi custom, he does not leave the strings hanging out as is the Ashkenazi custom. We are Sephardi :) every once in a while at the end of a long day I see them hanging out and I have to double take because I don’t even know what’s there (like I thought he had spaghetti on his lap the other day 🤣). But yes, he wears them every day :)

[@alephtaph]

@@jaroffireflies Lol, thank you so much for the answer. Now I start the new work week with already something new learned. 😀

[@jaroffireflies]

@@alephtaph awesome! And you’re very welcome :) I appreciate you asking for clarification

[@renanims6630]

I notice you fry several items in oil. What do you do with the old oil? How do you remove it from the pan & how do you discard it? This has always stumped me, when I wanted to fry something. Thanks!

[@kleocatra9675]

Depending on the amount of oil, fill pan with paper towels let it absorb then throw out paper towels wash pan as normal.

[@jeanneamato8278]

What is recipe for Moroccan fish please?

[@jaroffireflies]

I’m planning to make that video I just haven’t been able to yet!

[@trishpolk640]

Great video. Question ..does everyone who observes bring in SHABBOT in their own home or do they sometimes get invited to join another family? If so, when would they light their candles? Would they bring in SHABBOT in their home and then go out?

[@jaroffireflies]

Most people light at home and then walk over. If we are visiting another city though and staying with friends, I’ll light there in their home :) they will also light of course.

[@achsahkaleb4844]

please could you show me in Scripture where I have to have spices for Havdalah?

[@TheMuirite]

How do you decide how many candles for Shabbos? I think I saw 6(?), how did you pick the number? I know some have the custom of 2 plus one for each member of the household.

[@jaroffireflies]

I light one for each member of my family plus my daughter lights one as well. Jews light two candles for Shabbat, but most people add an extra candle for each child like I do. It’s a Chanda custom for daughters to light one candle and I’m not Chana’s but I liked that so we started doing it :)

[@karenherman8653]

Are you afraid of covid you seem to have many guests in your home every week. Our friends like ourselves unfortunately had to stop hosting because of covid. Sad our Shul is closed also.

[@jaroffireflies]

Baruch Hashem our shul is open. We do have guests, but it’s the same people over and over, basically a pod. We exercise reasonable caution, but choose not to be ruled by fear. We also live in an area where COVID isn’t bad, so these decisions are easier, but still tremendously difficult.

[@staceyschuler5992]

Do you braid your challah? I didn’t know if that’s important at all. Thank you!

[@jaroffireflies]

Hello Stacey! No I don’t, the dough for the gluten free challah is unfortunately unbraidable.

[@aniwacks8786]

You are such a lovely couple and it was great getting a sneak peek of him:) question I noticed you don’t wear wedding rings. He is a contractor so I understand why he wouldn’t because of his job. Is there a reason why you don’t. Didn’t know if it is part of religion or personal reasons. We all need husbands like yours that cook such amazing meals. I wish you could ship your yummy bakery goods outside state

[@jaroffireflies]

Thank you! About the rings, I don’t wear mine because I rarely wear jewelry and my rings don’t fit at the moment. He doesn’t wear a ring because orthodox men don’t wear one. Not totally sure why on that one... 🤷🏼‍♀️😁

[@fordmusclecar]

Can I ask what made you decide to become an Orthodox Jew? I’m curious. My father was half Jewish but his mother was Christian so that’s how he was raised and raised my brother’s and I but he always reminded us to be “proud of our Jewish blood “. For about a year I’ve been very interested in exploring Judaism bc I love the tradition, they keep the feast days, and how family oriented it is, but I’m taking a intro into Judaism class and the only rabbi’s they’ve had on either consider themselves reform or conservative. To me the ones who identify as conservative are reform and the reforms aren’t really anything besides liberals. Does that make sense? I’m trying to see where I’d fit...thank you !

[@jaroffireflies]

Definitely makes sense! If you are wanting a more traditional Judaism and to be Torah observant, you would want to seek out an Orthodox rabbi, even if there isn't one in your town, you could find one nearby. I did a reform conversion first but quickly realized that wasn't for me. I tried conservative briefly but Torah observance was what clocked with me :) I am hoping to tell my conversion story soon here as a video, but there was just always a pull towards it, like a magnet.

[@fordmusclecar]

@@jaroffireflies I feel the same way. To me it’s all about Torah. Thank you for always willing to respond to comments. I hope everyone is nice to you lol.

[@jaroffireflies]

@@fordmusclecar you’re so kind :) Thank you :)

[@RedeemedbyHisLove]

Would you please include some cooking of your fish and your homemade gluten free flour? So wonderful. It's expensive! My son is gluten free and frankly with all the GMO it's not very good for any of us anymore. Unfortunately! I have a fabulous gf naan recipe I'd be glad to share and a gf banana bread every bit as good as regular if not better.

[@jaroffireflies]

I have my bread recipe here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoG4q5qDh5l9qrc and I’m planning to do a fish recipe video coming up!

[@joannandersen6428]

I notice you don’t have/use a microwave?

[@jaroffireflies]

You are correct, I do not own a microwave:)

[@a-ny9647]

Do your kids and husband ever see your hair?

[@jaroffireflies]

Yes they do. I don’t cover my hair in the bedroom so they all see it at night.