Use your Challah Board as a Cheese Board For Shavuot

We have the custom to eat dairy meals the first day of Shavuot (when the Torah was given) for several reasons:

  • Torah is compared to milk because it is white and pure
  • The Hebrew word for milk is “chalav” (חלב) which has the numerical value of 40. Eating a dairy meal recalls the 40 days Moses was up in heaven to receive the Torah.
  • On Shavuot, when the Torah was given, the Jews learned the laws of kashrut for the first time. Since the Torah was given on Shabbat, they were unable to slaughter any animals on that day and any meat they may have had from before was not usable. So, immediately after receiving the Torah, they did not have kosher meat or utensils available, and their only alternative was eating dairy.
  • Among others…..

Today we bring you a great idea for your Shavuot celebration! Why limit your challah board only for challah? Use it as a Cheese Board! And what better holiday to do so than Shavuot? Of course you have to take into consideration the laws of Kashrut if you use it for Shabbat which is almost always a meet menu, make sure you kosherize it or you have a separate challah board for meet and one for dairy.

Here are some tips on how to Assemble the Perfect Cheese Board

  1. Pick one of each cheese type:

Soft Cheese: Mozzarella, Brie, Goat Cheese, Camembert

Semi-Soft Cheese: Gouda, Jarlsberg, Blue Cheese

Semi-Hard Cheese: Provolone, Sage Derby, Manchego, Comte

Hard Cheese: Aged Cheddar, Parmesan, Aged Asiago, Chesmire

  1. Add Crackers and/or bread
  2. Add something sweet: Grapes, pear, apricot, dry fruits, honey
  3. Add nuts
  4. Pair with wine for ultimate satisfaction :) 

* Make sure you use plastic, acrylic or wood knives to avoid scratching the acrylic. Do not use Metal cheese knives