A Challah Covering Quiz

The Daf this week touched on the practice of covering the challah before the Shabbos meal (Pesachim 100a-b). Three reasons are offered for this practice. Tosfos cites two of them.

The first is from Rav Achai Gaon. He said it should be clear that the challos are specifically for Shabbos. This is a way of honoring Shabbos. We cover the challos to demonstrate that the challos were not for a weekday meal. When we say “Boruch… Mekadeish HaShabbos” before uncovering the challah it is clear that the meal is for Shabbos.

The second reason cited by Tosfos is that a double portion of manna fell on Friday. No manna fell from the sky on Shabbos or yom tov. Therefore, we commemorate the manna that was absent on Shabbos or yom tov by using two challos to represent the double portion of manna. Hashem protected the manna with a layer of dew below it and above it. Therefore, the covering on the challah represents this layer of dew.

The third reason cited by the Rishonim for covering the challah is to protect it from shame. In general, the bracha recited on the challah should precede the bracha recited over wine. During the week, Hamotzi is recited before Hagefen. On Shabbos, when kiddush must be recited first, we are forced to reverse the order and recite Hagefen first. To somewhat rectify this “wrong,” we cover the challah, leaving the wine the only food in front of us.

Each of these reasons can cause different results depending on the situation. To test your understanding, please take this quiz. The answer to every question is any combination of A, B, or C or perhaps a solitary letter.