Challah

bread · Jewish tradition · food

Braided by hand. Challah is shaped by braiding strands of dough together, creating a gorgeous twisted pattern. Some special versions have six or even twelve strands woven together.

Shabbat tradition. Jewish families eat challah every Friday night to start Shabbat, the weekly day of rest. The bread is blessed and shared as part of the meal.

Holiday favorite. Beyond Shabbat, challah appears at major Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Passover, making celebrations feel special and complete.

Egg-washed shine. The dough is brushed with egg wash before baking, which gives challah its signature golden, glossy crust and makes it extra delicious.

European roots. In Central Europe, challah was sometimes called berches, and the bread has been part of Jewish culture for centuries across many countries.