Why Jews Cover Bread During Kiddush

The Tradition of Covering Bread

During the Shabbat dinner, it is customary to cover the challah (bread) with a cloth before reciting the Kiddush, the blessing over the wine. This practice has two profound meanings rooted in Jewish tradition and biblical history.

Honoring the Order of Blessings

According to Halacha (Jewish law), the blessing over bread typically precedes the blessing over wine. However, on Shabbat, this order is reversed to emphasize the sanctification of the day. By covering the bread, it is symbolically "removed" temporarily, allowing the wine blessing to be performed first without "embarrassing" the bread, which would normally take precedence.

Remembering the Manna

The covered bread also evokes the manna that the Israelites received in the desert during their 40-year journey. According to the biblical account, the manna was protected by a layer of dew both above and below. The two cloths that cover the challah represent these protective layers, serving as a reminder of God's divine provision and care during the wilderness experience.

This beautiful tradition connects modern Shabbat observance with ancient biblical history, creating a tangible link between contemporary Jewish practice and the foundational stories of the Hebrew Bible.