Jewish Housewarming Traditions, Salt, Sugar, Flour, What are the Roots?--Kosher Gift Box

Housewarming Traditions

Over the years a traditional housewarming gift has come about, this being a gift of salt, bread, and wine. What are the roots of this tradition?

While there are various beliefs, the most universal is that this 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.

Similarly, newly married peasants were honored, with the gift of bread and salt signifying that this new couple 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 idea behind this custom is that since bread and salt are such critical ingredients to any meal, it is a friendly gesture to bring some to “make a party” with the new neighbors. Wine also certainly falls into this category, particularly for the Sabbath.

This tradition 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

We 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 hamsa, which in the tradition of Kabbalah, is believed to provide protection from evil and also a framed Home Blessing. Please click to our Housewarming Gift department.