-
Challah is a traditional Jewish bread eaten to celebrate Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, and religious holidays. Challah is not eaten at Passover, however, when only unleavened bread is permitted.
Ritual
Jewish meals typically begin with breaking bread. Challah is a special bread served during Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
Ingredients
According to jewishrecipes.org, challah is an egg-based bread sweetened with honey.
Appearance
Challah is traditionally divided into three ropes and braided before baking. It is coated in an egg wash to give it a deep golden brown crust.
Symbolism
Traditionally, sesame or poppy seeds are sprinkled on top of challah to symbolize the manna God provided for the Israelites, according to Jewishrecipes.org.
Rosh Hashanah
For Rosh Hashanah, raisins are baked into challah, and the bread is shaped into a circle instead of a braid. JewFAQ.com suggests the circle represents the cycle of life, while Jewishrecipes.org says the shape is symbolic of God's crown.
Other Cultures
Challah is also popular among non-Jewish peasant populations in European countries, such as Hungary.
Source:
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC