It is to commemorate the fact that the Jews in the desert received a double portion of mannah every Friday in honor of Shabbat.
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CEEMaven
July 19, 2025
Since the bread in the wilderness was to be gathered for two days (preventing work on Shabbat), why is it that the two loaves are presented for only ONE meal? The admonition was very specific not to gather too much AND that this gathering was two days of provision. It would be disobedience to gather both day's worth and eat both day's worth on one day. Riddle me that...it's gnawing at me! Reply
Chabad.org Staff
July 20, 2025
in response to CEEMaven:
We do indeed use two loaves at both Shabbat meals, on Friday night and Shabbat lunch. Reply
Marsha Fischer
Plantation
July 8, 2025
When should the challah be put on the table for Shabbat? Is it OK if there’s only one follow on the table before the challahs are used Reply
Chabad.org Staff
July 9, 2025
in response to Marsha Fischer:
One can put the challah on whenever one want, and certainly before reciting Kiddush. Reply
Rachel
Arizona
January 26, 2025
We have to have two loaves of the Challah bread each Shabbat. How do we prevent waste of the Challah bread if their are only two in attendance for Shabbat? Reply
Chabad.org Staff
January 27, 2025
in response to Rachel:
Good question. The challah can be two rolls instead of loaves, or one loaf and one roll, what's important is that they be whole before the blessing is made. Reply
Soraya Ferreira
Johannesburg
March 3, 2024
Morning, I have a question that is puzzling and cant find an answer. Perhaps someone in the chat can advise, why must we cut away the 4 sides of each Challah on Shabbat? And we may not eat it, please teach me. Reply
S
February 29, 2024
How many challah's are really recommended or what is halacha / where to find?
I've been having this question for several years and got different answers. If i remember correctly the Levush addressed it was customary among Ashkenazim to have three, thus the minhag is three: is this indeed correct? Would it be bad to deviate from that if you live in an Ashkenazi community (and use two instead)?
Reply
Mendel Fogelman for Chabad.org
March 1, 2024
in response to S:
The obligation observed throughout all Jewish communities is to have at least two challahs by each Shabbos meal.
See here in Shulchan Aruch Harav, Orach Chaim 274:2 (you can find there all relevant footnotes/sources as well).
About the Levush and a custom to have three - is it possible that he was referring to the custom to have a three-braided challah , i.e., that the way challah are typically baked and fashioned in Ashkenazi communities is to start with three distinct braids, and then to weave them together.
Reply
S
March 2, 2024
in response to Mendel Fogelman for Chabad.org:
Thank you so much for your answer Rabbi. I searched and found from where I got the idea to have three challahs (in total for shabbos):
It is mentioned in an article on Jewishpress called The-levush-his-life-and-works/2018/01/31/
Thank you again soo much Rabbi for taking the time to respond:
Shavua tov!
Reply
Mendel Fogelman
March 4, 2024
in response to S:
You are most welcome and thank you for looking it back up and clarifying. Shavua tov to you as well! Reply
John Lucas
London
June 19, 2023
I am alone do I still have to have two challah on Shabbos? Reply
Eliezer Zalmanov
for Chabad.org
July 3, 2023
in response to John Lucas :
The tradition of having two challahs on the Shabbat table applies regardless of how many people are in attendance. However, you don't need to eat both loaves. Reply
I can understand having the two loaves on the Friday night meal to symbolize the second day’s portion but what’s the logic of again having two loaves served on the Shabbat day meal since there should only be one portion left at that point.
Please advise.
That was my point too!
It isn't meant to replace the double portion of manna, but to symbolize the uniqueness of the Shabbat meals. The idea is to emphasize that this meal is being eaten to fulfil the obligation of having a Shabbat meal during the day too.