Lechem Mishna: Celiac Question

We have a daughter that has celiac. When making hamotzi, do we need to have two gluten free challahs for lechem mishna (two loaves that shes can eat) or can we have one gluten free and one regular? Does she need to be able to eat both challahs to fulfill the concept of lechem mishnah?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question!

For the benefit of readers, let’s begin with a small review of what “lechem mishna” is all about.

Lechem Mishna is the requirement to recite the blessing over bread over two whole loaves whenever one eats bread on Shabbat. This mitzva was instituted in order to recall the double portion of manna, their bread, which fell for the Jewish people in the desert every Friday. One portion was for Friday use and one portion was for Shabbat use. Hence, two breads are used at every Shabbat meal to remember the double portion of manna. Both women and men are equally obligated in the Lechem Mishna requirement. It is very important that the loaves are completely whole with nothing missing.

One is not required to actually use both loaves – only one of them must be cut and eaten from. One who only has one whole loaf, may combine a matza,or even a frozen loaf from the freezer in order to meet the lechem mishna requirement. Be'dieved a piece of cake which is whole (i.e. a rugelach) may be used if there is no whole bread available. 

To answer your question: it is perfectly acceptable that 1 of the 2 loaves be gluten free and one of them to be any regular bread. As mentioned, only one of the loaves truly need to be eaten while the other one can be put away for another meal. Common custom is to first slice the bottom loaf at the Friday night meal, while at all other Shabbat and Holiday meals, the top loaf is cut first.

O.C. 274:1, 291:4, Shabbat 117b, Rambam Shabbat 30:9, Aruch Hashulchan O.C. 274:1, Mishna Berura 274:4, Be'er Heitev O.C. 274:2