One is to bake Challahs for Yom Tov which will be used for Lechem Mishneh and is not to buy them at the bakery as is done during the week. This matter of baking one’s own Challah is included in the honoring of Yom Tov. One is not to divert from this custom.[1]
How much is one to bake? One is to bake at least the amount that requires one to remove Challah from the dough.[2]
Pas Akum[3]:[4] (For those who are accustomed to eating Pas Akum throughout the week it is proper for them to refrain from eating it on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Rather they are to eat from the Kosher breads which have been kneaded in their homes, as this is included in the Mitzvah of honoring Shabbos and Yom Tov.[5])
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Summary: One is to bake Challahs for Shabbos as opposed to buying them from a store.
Q&A Why today are not all women particular to bake Challahs for Yom Tov and rather they buy Challahs from the store? Some Poskim[6] rule that today being that fresh and tasty Challahs are available in all bakeries it is not necessary for every woman to bake Challahs in their home. This especially applies if there is much work needed to be done for Shabbos in the home and it is a short Friday. Other Poskim[7]however argue that even today one may not divert from the custom of baking Challahs in the home.
May one bake only a few Challahs and buy the remainder from a bakery even according to the above custom?[8] Yes. One may use some home baked Challahs and some bakery Challahs even according to the above-mentioned custom.
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Shape of the Challah: It is customary to form the Challah for Shabbos as a long straight dough. This is opposed to round or square. The reason for this is because the Challahs represent the letter Vav of the Tetragrammaton.[9]Alternatively the two Challahs in the shape of a Vav represent the twelve showbreads of the Temple, as Vav is Gemtria of six.[10] Rosh Hashanah:[11] The ancient custom of Ashkenazi Jewry is to bake round Challahs in honor of Rosh Hashanah. This symbolizes the roundness of a crown and corresponds to the coronation of Hashem on Rosh Hashanah. Alternatively, it is done as a symbol of good omen as all round items due to not have a start or finish and hence reflects longevity of life. Likewise, round represents unity. Some[12] write that this applies only on Rosh Hashanah itself, however on Shabbos Shuva one is to return to the accustomed shape of the two Vav’s. Braid: It is customary to braid the Challah baked for Shabbos as in the past it was common to add meat gravy to the dough and hence the Challah required a sign that would remind one not to eat it with dairy.[13] This custom has remained today as well despite that the Challahs are left Pareve.
Placing the Challah on the table after baking: Some Poskim[14] record that the custom is to place the Challahs that will be eaten Friday night on the Shabbos table directly after removing them from the oven, and that doing so is included within Kavod Shabbos.[15] This is not the current widespread custom.[16] Nevertheless, it is proper to do so.[17]
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[1] The reason: The reason behind this custom of baking Challahs on Erev Shabbos is due to the Mitzvah to honor Yom Tov. [Admur ibid] The effort exerted in the kneading and baking for the sake of Yom Tov, rather than buying it from a store, honors Yom Tov. [M”B 242:6] Likewise having fresh and hot home baked bread also honors Yom Tov. [Siddur Yaaveyz; Likkutei Mahrich]
[2] See also Shach Yoreh Deah 324:25 that the women are scrupulous to specifically bake enough to separate Shiur Challah on Erev Shabbos.
[3] Gentile baked bread
[4] Admur 242:13
[5] As for why this law was placed in parentheses by Admur, see Chikreiy Halachos 3:30
[6] Oar Letziyon 2:47; Mishnes Yosef 5:63
[7] Mishneh Halachos 15:95
[8] Chelkas Yaakov 1:59
[9] Elya Raba 167:2 in name of Shlah. The five fingers on each hand which holds the Challahs represent the two Heis of the Tetragrammaton, and the Challahs form a Yud when held. Hence the Vav of the shape of the Challah complete the Tetragrammaton. [Shem Havayah]. [ibid]
[10] Likkutei Mahrich in name of Divrei Chaim
[11] Piskeiy Teshuvos 583 footnote 46; 242 footnote 105; Otzar Minhagei Chabad 129
[12] Brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 583 footnote 46
[13] P”M 242 M”Z 1; See Yoreh Deah 97:1; “A Semicha Aid for the Laws of Basar Bechalav” Chapter97
[14] Taz Yoreh Deah 178:7; Chasam Sofer in his glosses on 242
[15] This is similar to the showbread which was placed directly on the table after it was baked. [Divrei Yisrael 2 p. 30]
[16] Likkutei Mahrich
[17] Piskeiy Teshuvos 242:11
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