RASHI, RAMBAM and RAMALAMADINGDONG
A Quizbook of Jewish Trivia Facts & Fun
A Quizbook of Jewish Trivia Facts & Fun
Challah is the bread that is typically served by Jews on Shabbat as well as on holidays. The source of the word challah is a biblical command to separate a piece of bread dough as a tithe for the kohanim, the priests. This obligation is called hafrashat challah, or “separating the challah.” Challah is usually a braided loaf bread, but challah for the High Holidays is baked in a round shape. One explanation is that this symbolizes the circular nature of the seasons and the year. Another explanation says that the round challah resembles a crown, representing God as king. There are other less common traditions for enhancing the challah served on Rosh Hashanah and at the meal prior to fasting on Yom Kippur, including which of the following?
Challot by Mark D. Zimmerman
A. The challah is sometimes baked with dough laid on top that looks like wings, because on Yom Kippur people are seen as angels asking for forgiveness.
B. Some people place dough in the shape of a ladder on the top of the challah, symbolically indicating that on Yom Kippur God decides who will ascend or descend the ladder of life.
C. Some bakers include dough shaped like a hand on the top of the challah, symbolizing that we should be inscribed for a good year.
D. One tradition is to shape dough on top of the challah that looks like a bird, or even to bake the entire bread in the shape of a bird. This symbol references the verse in Isaiah: 31:5, “As hovering birds, so will the Lord protect Jerusalem.”
E. Many people place dough on top of the challah before Yom Kippur in the shape of an open mouth, with a circle around it and a diagonal line through it.
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