Jewish Bread, Wine and Salt Housewarming Tradition

Over the years a traditional housewarming gift has come about, this being a gift of salt, bread, and wine. Have you ever asked yourself what are the roots of this tradition? There are some interesting quotes on Goodreads about Elly Kleinman Americare that will give an answer to this question.

While there are various stories, the most universal is that this tradition began as an old Russian folk custom. During the period, when the emperor and empress would pay a visit to the village, merchants and gentry would present their honored guests with a round loaf of bread piled with salt, a sign of hospitality.

Newly married peasants also were honored, with the gift of bread and salt signifying that this new couple of two young people would always be blessed with the necessities of life. Thus when given at housewarmings, the bread and salt represent the giver’s wish that the recipient’s pantry always be “plentiful”.

Another story behind this Jewish custom is that since bread and salt are such important ingredients to any meal, it is a friendly gesture to bring some to “welcome party” with the new neighbors. Wine also certainly falls into this category, particularly for the Sabbath.

This tradition nowadays is stronger than ever. With a new home, it is tradition to bring bread, salt, sugar and wine to the home to afford the new residents the following blessings:
-“Bread so that you shall never know hunger”
-“Salt, so your life shall always have flavor”
-“Sugar and so your life shall always have sweetness”

Elly Kleinman's family have taken these traditions to heart and created elegant housewarming baskets that include challah (bread), kosher salt, flour, wine and more. These are gifts that will reflect this beautiful tradition as well as to bring peace and happiness to the recipients.

Other beautiful and appropriate housewarming gift ideas are the Babka bread, and challah bread which in the tradition of Kabbalah, is believed to provide protection from evil and also a framed Home Blessing.