ולקחת סלת ואפית אתה שתים עשרה חלות (אמור כד:ה)

There is a custom, which has its source from the holy ARI (Rabbi Yitzchok Luria Ztz”l), to place twelve Challahs on the Shabbos table.

Chazal say that since we cannot bring offerings anymore due to the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, man’s table is akin to the Mizbe-ach.  A meal should, therefore, be regarded as if partaking in the offerings on the Mizbe-ach; this turns eating into a holy activity – just like the Kohanim did when we had the Beis Hamikdash.

This is based on the Posuk יחזקאל מא:כב) וידבר אלי זה השלחן אשר לפני השם) – and he spoke to me: “This is the table in front of HaShem”.

The twelve Challahs says the holy ARI should be laid out into two columns of six Challahs each, in remembrance of the Lechem haPanim that was prepared on the golden table every Shabbos in the Beis Hamikdash.

The holy ARI alludes to this in his series of poetic songs, which he penned for the three Shabbos meals.  Starting with the words ”אתקינו סעודתא” (let us prepare the meal), the three songs describe what is happening ‘behind the scenes’ – so to speak – when the Jewish family sits down to partake in each one of the Shabbos meals respectively.

The words ”שכינתא תתעטר בשית נהמי לסטר” (the divine presence is adorned with six loaves on each side) are part of the song for Friday evening.

On Shabbos mornings, the following words are sung before the Shabbos meal: ”יגלי לן טעמי דבתריסר נהמי” (reveal to us the meaning of the twelve breads).