Salt of the Covenant

Why is it customary in some Jewish communities to salt one’s challah on Shabbat (the Sabbath) before eating it?

The salt symbolizes endurance and God’s eternal covenant with b’nei Yisrael (the children of Israel). The Jewish sages said salt sealed the covenant “because salt does not spoil,” salt preserves.

Sweeping salt flats stretched across the Dead Sea region between Israel and Jordan, like waves of white crystals. Salt, the seemingly miraculous and abundant substance that never spoiled, was used to cure meats and preserve veggies before refrigerators existed. Salt provided the people with sustenance through all times and all seasons.

The livestock, wine, olive oil, fruit, bread and grains the ancient Israelites brought to the Temple as offerings, provided food for the Temple priests. This arrangement is called the “eternal Covenant of Salt” (Numbers 18:8-19). This very same term (Salt of the Covenant) also describes the relationship between God and the descendants of King David.

Salt is used to draw out the blood from Kosher meat, for it is forbidden to consume blood, the life-force of all beings. Salt cleanses, purifies and draws out impurities.

Last but not least, salt adds flavor that pleases our tastebuds. Even the most basic food is more appetizing and palatable with salt. What is life without a little flavor sprinkled on top?

It was my grandmother’s minhag (custom) to salt the challah at home and in her shtiebel after my grandfather blessed the bread.

Not all branches of Judaism salt the challah after hamotzi (blessing of the bread), although it may be more prominent in Israel than in the Diaspora. Technically, the salt added as an ingredient in the baked challah is considered to be sufficient.

In other branches and observance levels of Judaism such as Orthodox or Hasidic, it’s an established minhag to sprinkle or lightly dip your piece of challah in salt every Shabbat after the blessing is said.

In Jewish mysticism, salt signifies severity, while bread (the staff of life), represents kindness. Together the two yin-yang energies are balanced. The Hebrew word for bread (lechem לחם) and the Hebrew word for salt (melach מלח) contain the same letters.

Should your piece of challah be sprinkled with salt, dipped in salt, or is the salt just a presence on the table? Customs vary from community to community.

In Rabbinic literature the dining table is a mikdash me’at (mini-temple), therefore the blessing over food should only be recited with salt at least present on the table like an honored guest.

You shall not omit from your meal offering the salt of your covenant with God.

Leviticus 2:13 

In Judaism salt has sacred symbolism. To care for our bodies we must not use it excessively, which is bad for our health. We use it mindfully as a reminder to preserve our own sacred covenants with all the beings that enhance our lives and sustain us throughout the fragilities and frailties of life.

© 2022

Check out The Challah Project for some delicious challah recipes!

The brown sugar challah with pomegranate glaze and the apple cinnamon challah were simply divine!

Advertisement