“Once long ago, two brothers lived
Each with his own way to give
Mendel an artist, painted the world
Chaim, a teacher of boys and girls
And every Friday, Mendel would bake
Challahs for him, and some for Chaim to take
Until one day Chaim had to teach
In a city far away, out of reach

Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark
Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark

They bid farewell, Chaim said “Shalom,
I’ll be sure to visit from my new home.”
Mendel’s heart was feeling sad
Chaim was the only family he had
The next Shabbat, Mendel made dough
And baked four challahs to a golden glow
“But Chaim is gone, so I only need two.
I’ve got two extra challahs, what am I to do?”

”I have an idea, I have a plan.
I’ll give two away, be a Mensch of a man.
But who shall receive, these tasty breads,
Whose family will be well fed?”
He called upon Rivke, for her advice
She smiled and said, “Now, don’t think twice.
Put them in the holiest place you can find,
Someone will discover them in a short time.”

Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark
Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark

Mendel entered the shul at two o’clock
A little bit nervous, his knees all a-knock
He carefully placed the challahs in the ark
Then went home, feeling warm in his heart
At 3 o’clock sharp, someone came in the shul
Yankel on his way to get his kids from school
Every Shabbat he did the good deed
Of cleaning up the shul, whatever the need

Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark
Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark

He fixed the tallit, and straightened the books
Approached the Ark to have a closer look
Opened it up, saw with his own two eyes
Next to the Torahs, a challah surprise
“A Sabbath miracle, how can this be?
They’ll feed my growing family.”
Rushing home, thanks in his heart
He shared this blessing at Sabbath’s start

Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark
Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark

Week after week, year after year
The sharing continued, full of good cheer
Mendel would give, Yankel receive
Again and again, would you believe?

Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark
Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark

But one day Mendel was a little bit late
Arrived at the shul to meet his fate
For Yankel was running just a little bit early,
Came to the shul at exactly 2:30
Mendel from the left, and Yankel from the right
Approaching the ark, what a pleasant delight
The men saw each other and realized
The giving and receiving was the Sabbath prize
Mendel said to Yankel, “Shabbat Shalom!”
Yankel asked Mendel, “Will you join me at home?
Our Sabbath table will welcome you.”
“Of course,” said Mendel, I’ll bring Challah, too!”

Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark
Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark

And that was the start of a friendship strong
That began long ago, and now it’s a song
So raise your voices, it’s time to sing
To life, to life, l’chaim!

Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark
Challah, Challah, Challahs in the Ark”