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On Shabbat, every time we eat bread, the custom is to use double bread for the blessing, i.e. to say the blessing over 2 whole loaves.
Why?
The explanation is that it constitutes a reminder for the Manna that G-d sent us in the desert. The Torah tells us that every Friday, the Jews received a double portion, because the Manna would not fall on Shabbat. To remember this, we have 2 loaves of bread on Shabbat. This reminds us that G-d takes care of our needs and our sustenance, and we do not need to worry about not working on Shabbat: G-d sends us a “double portion” during the rest of the week.
There is also the custom to cover the bread while we make the Kiddush.
Why?
One explanation has to do with the Manna as well. G-d would send it like a gift, carefully packed and protected: first there would be a layer of dew on the ground, then the Manna descended, and it was then covered by another layer of dew. As a reminder, we cover the bread (on the top as well). This reminds us of G-d’s love and care for His people.
Another explanation has to do with the fact that we do Kiddush with wine before eating the bread. Generally, the order of the blessings is first the bread and then the wine. On Shabbat (and holidays), we make Kiddush before the meal (which starts with the bread). The bread may be “hurt” that we first drink the wine, while the bread is more important, and its blessing is first. We therefore cover the bread, so it does not see this “humiliation”.
This teaches us how careful we must be with the feelings of our fellow person. Even for the bread, whose “feelings” we would say are not significant – our Sages tell us to cover it so as not to hurt it. Naturally, this teaches us how important it is to respect the feelings of the others and make sure not to hurt them.
Shabbat Shalom,
Arie from the Yeshiva