Bringing the Challah After Kiddush
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Question
Hello, Is it obligatory on Shabbat to have the challah covered during Kiddush, or can it be brought after Kiddush? And if so, does it need to be covered in that case?
Answer
Hello and blessings,
A. According to the Shulchan Aruch and the Mishnah Berurah, as well as the custom of most people, the challahs should be brought before Kiddush. However, according to the Gaon of Vilna, the challahs should be brought after Kiddush. [See source].
B. If the bread is not placed before the one making Kiddush at the time of Kiddush, there is no need for it to be covered in its place.
Source
In the Gemara (Pesachim 100b), it is explained that it is better to bring the table with the bread after Kiddush, so that it is noticeable that the bread is brought in honor of Shabbat.
However, Tosafot wrote that this was only in their time when they ate at small tables. But in our time, when the table is large, it is set before Kiddush.
In the Shulchan Aruch (Siman 271, Seif 7), it is explicitly stated to bring the bread first. It is also explained in the Shulchan Aruch (Siman 271) that the bread should be covered during Kiddush, and this is considered as if the bread is brought after Kiddush.
However, in Maaseh Rav, it is brought in the name of the Gaon of Vilna that the bread should be brought after Kiddush, so that it is noticeable that it is brought in honor of Shabbat.
Our teacher, the Gaon Rabbi Avraham Fried, shlita (Azmera Leshimcha 127), writes that according to his words, one should consider whether to bring all other foods only after Kiddush. And also according to the custom of the world according to the Shulchan Aruch, whether all foods need to be covered, not just the bread.