CHALLAH
"The Bread of Sabbath and Unity"

To Jews and Christians alike, the Sabbath (Shabbat in Hebrew), be it on Saturday or Sunday represents the idea of unity.  The six days of the week are the paradigm of diversity.  They are compared to the six directions in our three dimensional world--north, south, west, east, and up and down.  During these days we are in a search outward, full of action and diversity, trying to master our environment.  

The Sabbath, on the other hand, represents the inner point, and its direction is inward, full of unity and the peace that comes with unity.  The Sabbath is a day gifted to us by God on which we reflect inward and try to touch our inner spirit which will bring us closer to God and in harmony with the world in general.  

That is why the Jewish People, from the days of Moses have greeted one another with "Shabbat Shalom," wishing one another a Sabbath of peace and unity.  

The Sabbath also represents the inner direction, as opposed to the outer directions of the six day week, of absorbing the blessing from the six workdays and directing them inward to our homes and our lives.  

The braiding of the Challah, which is eaten on the Sabbath table, also represents this idea of unity, representing how we tie everything together, bringing all the diversity in our lives together for a peaceful harmony and unity that only the Sabbath can achieve.  Most Challahs are braided with six dough strands.  On the Sabbath, two Challahs are used.  Together, they are symbolic of the twelve Showbreads which were placed every Sabbath on the Table in the Sanctuary of the First Holy Temple and Second Holy Temple in Jerusalem.  The Holy Food Imports Family looks forward to the time when in peace and unity we all see the Challah placed on the Sabbath table in the Sanctuary of the Third and final Holy Temple.