Challah cover from Kippot World
There’s something special about getting ready for Shabbat. The candles are glowing, the table is set, and the smell of a delicious meal fills the room. But there’s one important part of the meal that diners may not see right away: the challah!
Before the Shabbat meal begins, the challah is covered with a special cloth. But why? Where did this tradition come from? And what makes a challah cover different from an ordinary piece of fabric?
A challah cover is a cloth used to cover the challah at the beginning of a Shabbat meal. It sits over the bread while the family gathers around the table and says Kiddush over wine or grape juice. Challah covers can be simple or elaborate, handmade or store-bought. At Kippot World, we have seen first hand how special challah covers become integral parts of a family’s Shabbat tradition.
Some covers have stories of their own. A challah cover might have been made by a grandparent, given as a wedding gift, or passed down through a family. Challah covers look different around the world. Jewish communities have developed their own artistic styles and traditions, making challah covers as diverse as the families who use them.
Why do we cover the challah on Shabbat?
According to one Jewish explanation, we cover the challah so that it doesn't appear to be “waiting around” while everyone pays attention to the wine first. In a way, we're protecting the challah's feelings! It's a sweet reminder that we should be thoughtful about others and their feelings even at the dinner table.
Covering the challah also helps make the Shabbat table feel special and different from an everyday meal. The tradition of covering the challah comes from an old Jewish discussion in the Talmud about which food should get the blessing first. Since Kiddush is said over wine before the blessing over bread, the challah is covered so it doesn’t feel left out! By the medieval period, covering the challah had become a regular part of Shabbat meals.
Challah covers can be made from linen, cotton, velvet, silk, or other fabrics. Some are embroidered with Hebrew words such as Shabbat or Lechvod Shabbat Kodesh (“in honor of the holy Sabbath”). Others feature Jewish symbols, flowers, pomegranates, Jerusalem scenes, or colorful designs. (To explore our variety of challah cover designs, check out our website).
Is the blessing recited before or after the challah is covered?
The challah is covered before Kiddush and stays covered while the blessing is said over the wine or grape juice. Then, when it's time to bless the bread, the cover comes off. This is a way of beautifying the Shabbat table and, according to Jewish legend, to keep the challah shielded so it doesn’t feel slighted by all the attention we’ve just been paying to the wine. At PJ Library, we like to think of it as a kid-friendly “big reveal”: Someone at the table dramatically pulls the cloth off the challah — ta da!— before saying the blessing over bread.”
About the Author
Kippot World is a small business creating and sharing custom, beautiful, Judaica with customers all over the world. Learn more at kippotworld.com. At Kippot World, we are honored to be part of these meaningful milestones and everyday traditions. Through our 2026 partnership with PJ Library, we are excited to include a PJ Library book with every Brit Milah and Upsherin order, helping families celebrate Jewish traditions through both meaningful rituals and the joy of Jewish storytelling.
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October 12, 2026