The challah board holds one of the most central items on the Shabbos table, the two loaves that begin every Friday night and Shabbos day meal. At Eichlers, we carry challah boards in silver, wood, marble, and glass, in classic and decorative designs, suited to everyday Shabbos use, Yom Tov tables, and as meaningful gifts for a new home.
Lechem mishneh, the two loaves of challah placed on the table for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals, commemorates the double portion of manna that fell before Shabbos in the desert. A dedicated challah board gives these loaves a proper, dignified place at the table, distinct from the everyday serving pieces used the rest of the week, and provides a stable, attractive surface for the motzi and the cutting of the bread that follows. Many families treat their challah board as one of the defining pieces of their Shabbos table setting, chosen with the same care given to candlesticks and kiddush cups.
Silver and silver-plated challah boards bring an elegant, formal presence to the table and are often chosen to coordinate with silver candlesticks, kiddush cups, and other Shabbos pieces. These boards range from simple, clean designs through ornately detailed pieces with filigree borders or engraved Hebrew text along the edge. A quality silver challah board is built to last for generations and often becomes a piece passed down within a family, used week after week for decades.
Wood challah boards offer a warm, natural look that suits a wide range of table styles, from traditional to contemporary. Many wood boards feature a carved or routed channel around the edge designed to catch crumbs, keeping the table cleaner during cutting. Wood is also a practical, durable choice for a board that sees regular weekly use, and many designs include a handle or decorative carving that doubles as both function and style.
Marble challah boards bring a sleek, modern look to the table and offer a naturally cool, smooth surface that's easy to wipe clean after use. Glass boards, often featuring painted or etched designs, Jerusalem scenes, Hebrew text, or decorative patterns, add a colorful visual element to the table while remaining simple to maintain. Both materials are popular choices for those who want a challah board that doubles as a decorative centerpiece even when not actively in use.
Consider both the size of your table and the style of your other Shabbos pieces when choosing a challah board. A larger board accommodates two full-size loaves comfortably and gives the person cutting more working room, while a smaller board suits a more compact table setting. Matching the material and finish, silver with silver, wood with a more rustic table setting, to your existing candlesticks and serving pieces creates a cohesive, well-coordinated table from week to week.
A challah board is a practical and meaningful gift for nearly any Jewish household occasion, since it becomes part of the weekly Shabbos table the moment it's received. It's a natural pairing with a challah knife and challah cover for a complete set, and makes a thoughtful wedding gift for a couple setting up their first home or a housewarming gift for any new household. Browse our full wedding gifts and Judaica collection for more meaningful pieces to pair with a challah board.
Wood boards should be wiped clean with a damp cloth rather than soaked, and occasionally treated with a food-safe wood conditioner to prevent drying and cracking over time. Silver boards should be polished with a silver polish formulated for sterling or plated silver, taking care around any engraved or filigree details. Marble and glass boards can simply be wiped clean with a soft cloth, making them among the easiest pieces on the table to maintain week after week.
A challah board is a central piece of a complete Shabbos table. Eichlers carries everything else you need to set it beautifully.
Two loaves, known as lechem mishneh, commemorate the double portion of manna that fell before Shabbos in the desert, so that Bnei Yisrael wouldn't need to gather food on Shabbos itself. This custom is observed at every Shabbos and Yom Tov meal.
Choose a board large enough to comfortably hold two full-size loaves with room to cut, generally at least 12 to 16 inches in length. A larger table can accommodate an even bigger board as a more prominent centerpiece.
Wipe the board clean with a damp cloth rather than soaking it in water, which can cause warping over time. Periodically treat the wood with a food-safe conditioner to keep it from drying out or cracking.
Yes. A challah board is a practical and immediately useful gift for a couple setting up their first Shabbos table, and pairs naturally with a challah knife and cover for a complete gift set.
Marble and glass boards are typically the easiest to clean, simply wiping with a soft cloth after use. Silver requires occasional polishing, and wood needs periodic conditioning to prevent drying and cracking.
While not required, many families coordinate the material and finish of their challah board with their candlesticks and other Shabbos table pieces for a cohesive, well put together overall table setting.