Lechem Mishneh

Having two loaves of Challah

1. For the Shabbat meals one should have Lechem Mishna meaning that one needs to make Hamotzei over two loaves of bread on Shabbat and Yom Tov in commemoration of the double portion of Maan that fell before Shabbat and Yom Tov.
2. Women are also obligated in Lechem Mishneh. Some say that the women should hear the Bracha from the one making HaMotzei on the two loaves, while others defend the minhag of those who don’t hear the HaMotzei and make HaMotzei on the piece given to them.
3. Preferably both loaves should be fresh but if one is frozen after the fact they may be used for making the Bracha of HaMotzei.
4. If two pieces of bread stuck together in the oven and then were separated gently each one is considered whole for the mitzvah of Lechem Mishna.
5. If one only has one loaf of bread one may use Pas habah BeKisnin for the second loaf to fulfill Lechem Mishna.

Passing the Challah

1. One shouldn’t give the Challah directly into the hands of someone else but rather one should place it down on a plate or the table to pass it to someone else.

How much to eat

1. For the Friday night meal and Shabbat day meal one needs to have a KeBaytzah of bread and if that’s difficult one may have a Kezayit of bread (and in such a case one should wash without a Bracha).

Which Challah to break

1. On Friday night, one should cut the lower of the two loaves. On Shabbat morning and Yom Tov night and morning one should cut the upper of the two loaves.

Sweet Challah

1. For the Bracha on honey challah, see Pas_Haba_Bikisnin#Honey_Challah