Lechem Mishna on Yom Tov

Richard B. Aiken

WHAT TO USE

Bagels for HaMotzi

You may use two bagels for the two loaves (lechem mishneh), even though they are already sliced most of the way through, if you can pick up each bagel by its slightly smaller half and the larger half does not fall off.

Crackers for HaMotzi

The minimum volume of a cracker or crispbread (such as Ryvita or Wasa) that may be used for lechem mishneh is 1 oz. (30 ml).

Other Foods for HaMotzi

You may not substitute other foods for the two loaves (lechem mishneh). You may not, for example, use two apples or two cans of fish.

HOW MUCH MAY BE MISSING

Less than 1/48th missing is still considered a whole loaf. So if you only have two challot (or other loaves of bread) for a Jewish festival, you might be able to use one loaf twice:

Wash your hands,

Say ha'motzi,

Cut off a piece that is less than 1/48th of the loaf, and

Eat it.

REASON: You may consider the remainder of that loaf as still being a full loaf and you may re-use it for your Jewish festival morning meal.

NOTE: If you have pieces of bread or other mezonot, you may:

Cut off less than 1/48th of the loaf,

Eat the additional pieces of bread to make a total of at least 1.9 fl. oz., and then

Re-use the same loaf for Jewish festival morning.

HOW TO COVER

White Challa Cover Above and Below

As on Shabbat, on Jewish festivals you should place a white cover above and another below the challot to remind us of the layers of dew and “mun” in the desert that the Israelites ate for 40 years.

HOW TO CUT

Mark the Challa

Mark in the bread with a knife where you will cut before ha'motzi.

NOTE: It is customary to just make a mark on the challa. You may cut almost all of the way through, but you must be able to pick up the bread by the small end and have it hold the big end up.

Cut Upper Loaf for Jewish Festivals

For Jewish festivals, cut the upper loaf at night and day.

SALT

Why Dip Challa in Salt

Before eating bread (at any time, not just on Shabbat or Jewish festivals), the bread should be dipped in some salt. This makes it taste better and makes it like a sacrifice (which had salt added to it).

NOTE: You may sprinkle salt on the bread instead, but kabbala recommends dipping.

EATING BEFORE KIDDUSH

Eating from Start of Jewish Festival until Kiddush

Once the Jewish festival begins for you—either at sunset or before (such as if you lit Jewish festival candles)--you may not eat or drink before hearing kiddush. Women and girls may make kiddush soon after lighting candles.

Lechem Mishna on Yom Tov

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