Before we eat, we pause to recognize and elevate the miracle of nourishment, the bread itself, and its source. Here are some elements you might consider.

• What: Two whole loaves of bread are traditionally used, one is good too. Braided challah, dinner rolls, injera, or pita all work.
• When: After blessing the wine, before starting the meal.
• Who: All genders are welcome to bless the bread.
• How: Two whole loaves are traditionally covered, then revealed when blessed. Some people slice, others tear the bread. Then dip or sprinkle with salt to make the first bite extra tasty.

On many tables, you will find two loaves of challah rather than one. On Shabbat, we revel in possibility and abundance. It symbolizes lechem mishna, the double portion of manna that sustains us through Shabbat.

After uncovering the challah, one person can hold the bread or raise it in the air. If there are two challah loaves, some hold them next to each other (or on top of each other) so that they touch. Others have a tradition of inviting everyone who is present to touch the challah or — depending on the size of the group, place their hand on someone else who is touching the challah — as a reminder of all the many hands that go into the process of making bread.

Jewish tradition teaches that once we recite a blessing, we should do the action we’re blessing as quickly as possible. In that vein, the person who recites motzi typically takes the first bite of challah, then slices or rips into the challah to share with the table.

There are several different reasons why challah is braided. The three strands of the braid can symbolize three qualities that Shabbat is associated with, such as beauty, honor, and strength; truth, peace, and justice; or past, present, and future; or the divine instructions to remember, observe, and guard Shabbat. The idea of weaving together different strands of a braid is also symbolic.

Explore our Shabbat guides to make your Shabbat dinners even more magical.