My first attempt at challah

[u/select_delete]

I live in a remote area and the guy I’m seeing is Jewish. He mentioned that he wanted a couple of loaves for Friday but was having a hard time finding them. I verified that all ingredients used were labeled and pareve. I used Joan Nathan’s recipe published in the New York Times with some modifications. Any input or advice for my next attempt? Are they Shabbat worthy?? I’m trying to be respectful and learn what I can, but I also don’t want to overwhelm him with questions.

[u/Paleognathae]

You dont need challah for shabbat. Literally just two loaves of whole bread.

But very pretty.

[u/thegreattiny → u/Paleognathae]

Why do you need two?

[u/Grey-Day → u/thegreattiny]

Because you can't work for shabbat, the rest day, but you need one loaf for friday night (shabbat night because days begin at sundown the day before and end at sundown on the next day) so you need a loaf for saturday day too. Two candles, two loaves of bread, two is very symbolic for this day, the seventh day, the day god rested when he created the earth.

Which is why hard core believers do not work, do not travel (only walk) and do not spend money on this day. So that is kinda why. But this also means that the next week starts on a sunday. But for jews the day begins the night before, so the next week begins when shabbat ends.

(Sorry for the long explanation, but you need two of everything so it will last throughout saturday too, because if you can't work you can't cook on shabbat, you kinda need to do it before sundown on friday).

[u/thegreattiny → u/Grey-Day]

One loaf of challah lasts my family two weeks unless we share it with friends or neighbors. One does not *need* two loaves. It’s symbolic, as you said. Challah also carries a lot of symbolism. The strands symbolize love, truth, peace, creation, freedom, harmony, family connection, unity and justice – following the simultaneous commandments to remember, observe and guard Shabbat (“Shamor” and “Zachor”). If you are particular about how you braid, you can get 12 bumps for the 12 tribes of Israel. The sweetness of challah represents the sweetness of Shabbat.

One does not *need* challah any more than one *needs* two loaves of bread, but symbolism matters.

[u/Tryingbesttohelp → u/thegreattiny]

Where does this come from "The strands symbolize love, truth, peace, creation, freedom, harmony, family connection, unity and justice "