| The word "Challah" also popularly known as "Khale" is | | | | the kneader according to the Talmud. (records of |
| a Hebrew term for a unique bread which is braided | | | | rabbinic deliberations concerning Jewish law, moral |
| and consumed mostly by Sephardic Jews and the | | | | principles, way of life and history) This simply means |
| Ashkenazi on the Sabbath and major holidays. The | | | | that if the dough owner is not of Jewish faith but the |
| term Challah is also referred to a tiny piece of dough | | | | kneader is, the hafrahat challah, or separating the |
| which is customarily divided from the original dough | | | | dough from the batch does not apply. |
| before the weaving process begins. A tenth of this | | | | Upon the destruction of the temple, resulting in the |
| dough is kept for the Jewish priesthood. In Hebrew, this | | | | mass departure of the Israelites, not one individual can |
| sacrament is known as "Hafrashat Challah". | | | | be deemed as pure ritually. Although the inspiration for |
| Relating to Jewish lore, the Challah loaf is eaten on the | | | | a priestly descent still survives and the bestowment of |
| three Sabbath meals, on Friday evening, Saturday | | | | "cohen" is conceded to sons, there are no rites equal |
| morning and afternoon, and also on two holiday feasts, | | | | to those experienced in the Holy Temple. The tradition |
| in the morning and evening. Each meal commences | | | | of dividing challah is now more of an emblematic ritual; |
| with two whole loaves of Challah. These meals are | | | | a blessing ("Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the |
| eaten in honor of the "manna" (an aromatic gum | | | | universe, who brings forth bread from the Earth") is |
| originating from a tree and grounded into cakes, | | | | given before the dough is divided and consequently |
| resulting in a honey-like confection) that descended | | | | tossed into the fire or thrown away. |
| from the skies when the Israelites roamed the deserts | | | | During the Jewish New Year, or known as "Rosh |
| for four decades following the mass departure from | | | | Hashana", the challah, baked with raisins imbedded in |
| Egypt. It is a long standing tradition to consume two | | | | the dough is sometimes shaped like a circle to |
| loaves of Challah when commencing the Friday night | | | | represent the year's cycle, and the golden honey glaze |
| feast and the two meals following during the Sabbath | | | | on top of the delicious bread represents a year filled |
| day. | | | | with sweetness. |
| The conventional Challah recipe consists of numerous | | | | At the primary Shabbat after the conclusion of the |
| eggs, water, sugar and white flour, up to 2 kilos at a | | | | Jewish holiday of Passover, there exists a tradition of |
| time. Once mixed, the doughis shaped into individual | | | | baking "key challah", meant as a favorable sign for |
| rope-like pieces which are then intricately woven, or | | | | one's livelihood. The methods of baking include a |
| braided. After the customary egg wash, the rich | | | | symbol of a key carved at the top of the bread to |
| Challah bread is then baked to a golden finish. More | | | | placing a real key right into the insides of the challah. |
| contemporary versions use less eggs and honey as a | | | | There are many Challah recipes available on the |
| sugar replacement. | | | | Internet for those who might want to try bake this |
| The prerequisite of extricating challah from the dough | | | | age-old, enduring and historical bread. |
| was demanded by the owner of the dough, and not | | | | |