Challah is a special egg-bread–often shaped into braided loaves–that is eaten with Shabbat and holiday meals. Making homemade challah is a fun activity that many families enjoy, but challahs are also available at bakeries and grocery stores.
It is customary to have two loaves at the table, symbolizing the two portions of manna that were distributed on Fridays to Israelites after the exodus from Egypt. Before eating the challah we say the blessing that thanks God for bread. The challah is then sliced or torn and sprinkled with salt before being passed around to everyone at the table.
challah
Pronounced: KHAH-luh, Origin: Hebrew, ceremonial bread eaten on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
