What is chale?

Chale, also spelled Challa or Hallah, refers to a special Jewish bread traditionally eaten on Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) and Jewish holidays (excluding Passover, when leavened bread is forbidden).

Typically, chale is made from white flour, enriched with eggs and often sweetened with honey or sugar. It is often braided, but can also be round, especially for Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year). The braided shape is said to represent love, while the round shape represents the cycle of life.

The word "chale" also refers to the mitzvah (religious commandment) of separating a portion of the dough during baking as an offering to God. Today, this is done symbolically by burning a small piece of dough. This act is a reminder of the Temple in Jerusalem, where a portion of the bread would be given to the Kohanim (priests).

Different Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities have variations in their chale recipes and customs. These variations can include the addition of ingredients like raisins, poppy seeds, or sesame seeds, and different braiding styles. The taste and texture can vary greatly depending on the region and the baker.