Challah cover

Hebrew: חלוֹת, challot) set out on the table at the beginning of an Ashkenazi Shabbat or Yom Tov meal.

While its appearance lends a decorative and ceremonial aspect to the set table, its presence serves both a halakhic and symbolic function.

Store-bought challah covers often bear the inscription לכבוד שבת קדש ("To honor the holy Shabbat") or לכבוד שבת ויום טוב ("To honor Shabbat and Yom Tov").

Each morning the Israelites found the manna in the fields, encased in two layers of dew to preserve its freshness.

[6] In Talmudic times, food was served to banquet guests on three-legged trays rather than tables.

Everyone wanted to host him, but he chose to spend the Shabbat at the home of a baker who had no children to feed, so he would not take away anyone's portion of food.

The poor woman, recognizing her distinguished guest, hurried to cover the challahs with tears in her eyes.

In order not to shame the challah, who expects the blessing to be made over her, we must cover her over until after the sanctification of the wine."

Understand that our laws are trying to sensitize us to the feelings of human beings, our friends, our neighbors, and especially our wives!"

According to the Gemara, matzo is called lechem oni (poor man's bread);[10] the Hebrew word oni (עוני) can also be construed as "answers," yielding, "bread upon which answers are spoken.