If you suddenly realize you forgot to get a loaf of bread, what is the first thing you think of? Getting back in the car and running to the store again, right? Ugh, sometimes that seems like such a bother.
But, when I compare this with what a woman had to do to make bread for dinner say two thousand years ago I realize how easy I have it made.
After rising early enough to get started. Turning the millstone to get the grain needed. Then continuing to grind the grain until small enough pieces fall onto an animal skin placed under the millstone. Mixing it with water and maybe adding a lump from the day before for flavor. Then it was time to heat the ovens to bake the bread.
There were two types of ovens that were used.
One was a hole in the sand that was lined with stones. The fire to heat this oven was built at the bottom of the hole. When the stones were hot the bread pieces were laid on top of them. Since the bread was more a flat variety it cooked quickly on the stones. (No multitasking here.)
The other type of oven was an earthen jar that stood about three feet high. It had an opening at the top and was wider at the bottom where there was a hole through which the fire was built. When the jar reached the right temperature the thin bread was placed on the outside portion of the jar. But, it could also be placed on the inside of the jar. The bread cooked quickly in this method as well. (Again, no multitasking for those cooks.)
I'm exhausted just thinking about the energy needed to do what women had to do everyday, with the exception of the Sabbath. Whew. Like I said . . . I'm spoiled.
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