Challah and Shabbat

Question

What is the origin for baking challah for Shabbat?

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    According to the Halacha, two Challot are needed for both the Friday night meal and the Shabbat lunch meal. If possible, two Challot should also be used at the Third Meal (eaten on Shabbat afternoon). However, if it is not possible to have two Challot at the Third Meal, one will suffice.

    The two Challot represent the two portions of Manna that were given to the Jewish People in the desert on each Friday. The extra Manna ensured that the needs of the Jewish People were taken care of before Shabbat. Another reason for two Challot is taught to us by the Sages: one Challah represents the word Zachor, Remember, and the second represents the word “Shamor, Guard. In the first set of the Ten Commandments that are found in the Torah, Hashem used the word Zachor in regard to Shabbat, and in the second set He used the word Shamor (the differences in language are to do with the spiritual level of the Jewish People before and after the sin of the Golden Calf).

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team