Bake the Perfect Rosh Hashanah Challah: Tips and Traditions

Rosh Hashanah holds a special place for culinary traditions, especially the symbolic foods placed on the holiday table. Challahs baked for Rosh Hashanah have their own significance and honor. We ventured into different Jewish communities worldwide, gathered customs, and added practical tips and advice for crafting delicious challah that will fill your home with the amazing aroma of baking as the holiday approaches.

Before we begin, by popular demand, click here for a fantastic recipe: Challah Recipe

1. Round Challahs

In many communities, round challahs are traditionally baked for Rosh Hashanah for three main reasons:

• Distinction from non-Jews: In the past, different shapes like squares and triangles represented idols. Jews, therefore, have historically baked round challahs, especially on Rosh Hashanah as a symbol of crowning Hashem.

As stated: "From Rosh Hashanah until after Hoshana Rabbah, it is customary to bake round challahs, as written in the 'Reasons for Customs' ... and Rosh Hashanah, which is when we crown the unique King, throughout the month they preferred baking round challahs, which was also the custom in Ashkenazi cities."

• Symbolizing life's cycle: A round shape has no beginning and no end, thus symbolizing longevity and infinite blessing. "Some wrote they do this as a good sign, for a round object has no end and it's a good sign for unending longevity ("Torat Moshe").

• Royal crown: Some suggest the round challah resembles a crown—"Righteous people said the round challahs are like a crown shape to hint 'and give you the royal crown.'"

2. Honey Challahs

In some communities, especially among Ashkenazi Jews, honey or sugar is added to the challah dough to symbolize the hope for a sweet year. These challahs are usually sweeter than usual, to symbolize our prayer for a good and sweet year, filled with abundance and blessing.

3. Ladders and Birds

Have you heard of bird-shaped challahs? Some Chassidic courts bake bird-shaped challahs for Rosh Hashanah, as noted in the book Torah Emet, as a sign that Hashem will protect and guard us. "As flying birds, so will Hashem of hosts protect" (Isaiah 31:5).

In some communities, ladder-shaped challahs are baked because Rosh Hashanah is a time when everyone's fate is determined for the coming year, whether to rise in wealth, wisdom, etc., or to fall. In Midrash Tanchuma, it is stated that on Rosh Hashanah Hashem makes ladders in the sky, raising one and lowering the other, hence the symbolism of ladder-shaped challahs. ("Book of Delights" page 33). Others make these challahs to symbolize prayers ascending.

So now that we've explored different customs, it's time to bake challah and do it right. First, you need a good recipe that succeeds every time. You can find a fantastic recipe here.

Now, after we have the customs and the recipe – 5 tips for airy, fluffy, and beautiful challah in honor of Rosh Hashanah:

1. Kneading: Whether kneading by hand or mixer, knead for at least 10 minutes. Kneading is a very important part of the process, contributing not just to dough cohesion but also to its airiness.

2. Proofing: The secret to airy challah is the proofing time. It's recommended to proof the dough twice. First, after kneading, and second after shaping. Wait for the shapes to double in size before putting them in the oven. These proofs allow the dough to develop a soft and light texture.

3. Quality yeast: Make sure to use fresh or quality dry yeast. Poor yeast can affect the challah's proofing. If using dry yeast, mix it with a little sugar and warm water to "wake" it before adding to the dough.

4. Oil in the dough: Healthy or not, sufficient oil will make your challahs moist, rich in flavor, and especially soft. Don't skimp on the oil quantity in the recipe.

5. Do not forget the challah separation: If you're making challahs with at least 1560 grams (or more), make the challah separation, a wonderful mitzvah not to be missed. The mitzvah of challah separation is a segulah for matchmaking, peaceful homes, good livelihood, strong health, protection during birth, easy labor, and success. For more on the amazing virtues found in challah separation, click here. During challah separation, it's possible and advisable to pray for any salvation desired and to pray at that time for the raising of children.

Tips for Perfect Presentation

• Making a braid? Braid loosely to leave "air" between strands. Want a high braided challah like from bakeries? Look for a tutorial on braiding challahs with four, five, or six strands.

• Want a beautiful color? Brush the challah twice with egg. Once after shaping and once more just before placing in the oven.
• Want a shiny challah? When the challah comes out of the oven, brush it with a bit of sugar water.
• Want to create special pomegranate-shaped rolls? Roll a ball for the roll, and add a small ball on top. Use scissors to cut an "X" on the small ball, creating the beautiful crown of the pomegranate.

Baking challahs for Rosh Hashanah is more than just baking – it's a spiritual act combining tradition and a prayer for a good and successful year. Whether you choose to make round, sweet, or bird-shaped challahs, following the right tips in the baking process will ensure an impressive and delicious challah that will enhance your holiday table. Wishing you a good and sweet year!

Which custom did you love most? Know more Rosh Hashanah challah baking traditions? Share with us in the comments.