Most people think of challah as that special, yummy, braided bread eaten only during Friday night and Saturday meals, but it really represents so much more. Challah has many spiritual — and some would say magical — components. What starts as just five basic ingredients — flour, yeast, eggs, water and sugar — can transform into meditation, blessings and prayers.

“Challah” is actually the piece of dough that is removed from the loaf before it is braided, not the braided loaf itself.