Challah

Every Friday for Shabbat, Jewish families gather around the table just after sunset to bless both wine (Kiddush) and bread (Ha'Motzi).

The Kiddush is recited as a sign of bounty, and as a thank you for the gifts of life and liberty. Ha'Motzi follows the kiddush to represent the teaching that, while the Israelites were wandering in the desert, they received a double portion of manna each Friday, so they would not have to work for their food on the Sabbath.

The word "challah" has its origins in the Torah, and referred to a portion of the ritual dough that was set aside as an offering. The breads baked for Shabbat and other Jewish holidays have changed a lot through the years, locations, and traditions of its bakers. The enriched, slightly sweet, braided loaf most associated with the word "Challah" today has its origins in Germany and became popular when German Jews immigrated to America in the early 1900s. Challah was made with white flour as a way of separating these special Shabbat loaves from everyday brown breads, and the braids were said to symbolize the hair of the "Shabbat bride" and increase the festive nature of the breads.

So if you've ever seen a braided loaf of bread in a bagel shop in NYC on a Friday, that is the Challah that many Jewish families will use for their Shabbat blessings. If you've never had the pleasure of eating some, snag a loaf next time you see it. It's fluffy and delicious (and makes excellent french toast the next morning)!

Yarn Base Information:

Center Stage Suri Lace

65% Baby Suri Alpaca, 35% Silk - 437 yds/50 g - Lace weight - Single ply

Center Stage Suri Fingering

100% Suri Alpaca - 437 yds/100 g - Fingering weight - Single ply

Downstage Sock

Orchestra Fingering

Stage Right Tweed Fingering

Mezzanine DK

Mezzanine DK NONSUPERWASH

Stage Right Tweed DK

Balcony Worsted

Balcony Worsted NONSUPERWASH