Where is the origin of Challah bread?

Challah is a braided Jewish bread that is typically eaten on ceremonial occasions such as Shabbat and Passover. The name challah means loaf or cake in Biblical Hebrew. It commemorates the manna that fell from the heavens in the desert (Exodus). This bread is still eaten in Israel.

Challah dates back to the 1400s and Ashkenazi European Jews. Challah bread is braided symbolizing our weekday activities blending with a sacred Shabbat state of mind. Two challah loaves are blessed on Friday night as a reminder that a double portion of manna fell from heaven on Friday to last through Shabbat during the Israelites' time in the wilderness.