The name “challah” comes from the Hebrew word for “portion:” one of the biblical commandments instructs devotees to give a portion of their bread to God as an offering of gratitude. At the Sabbath, families break off a morsel of bread after saying their blessings, uttering “Shabbat Shalom.” This shared action connects those that observe the tradition of partaking of challah on the Sabbath with bountiful food provided by God – it is considered a symbol of holiness.