The Mitzvah of Challah
Encyclopedia
The dough offering is a positive commandment requiring the owner of a bread dough to give a part of the kneaded dough to a priest
. This commandment is one of the twenty-four priestly gifts.
The common modern practice in Orthodox Judaism
is to burn the portion to be given the Kohen, although giving the hallah to a Kohen for consumption is permitted outside of Israel (permitted with restrictions, see article below for detail).
15:18-20:
In the above passage "cake" is khallah (חלה) while "of dough" is `ariycah (עריסה). The return of the Jews from the Babylonian exile marked a renewal in adherence to numerous commandments, and the dough offering, "the firstfruits of our dough," is listed as one of them (Nehemiah 10:37).
contains a tractate M. Hallah dealing with the dough offering. Among the rulings are that it was prohibited to set aside dough offering and tithes from dough made from grain harvested after the New Year, in behalf of dough made from "old" grain.
The Talmud Yerushalmi implies that the Mitzvah was given before the sin of the Twelve Spies
(Taanit daf 23b)
sources for the mitzvah are Shulhan Arukh, Yoreh Deah 322 and Maimonides
Bikkurim Chapter 5 Section 1.
The mitzvah of challah, is believed by some textual scholars
to originate in the priestly source
, and to postdate the Challah law codes as presented in the Torah
.
, was a means of sustenance for the Kohanim, who, because of their expected full-time involvement with Temple duties and Torah instruction
, did not have land or income derived from it, unlike the other tribes of Israel.
Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno
reasons that God wished to negate the negative effect of the sin of The Twelve Spies
by establishing this Mitzvah in order that bracha ("divine blessing") should rest in the homes of and on the dough products of the Jews.
Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz
explains that the Land of Israel is sustained by rainfall, whereas crops in Egypt are irrigated by the waters of the Nile river which requires human intervention, making it logical that the first fruits of Israel be presented to God who brings its rainfall.
Other insights on the symbolism of Challah appear in Midrash
ic and Kabbalistic
literature. The Mitzvah of separating challah is traditionally regarded as one of the three Mitzvot performed especially by women.
In some Kabbalistic
literature, such as Shlomo HaKohen of Vilna
's commentary on the Zohar
, the performing of this commandment by women, who traditionally did the cooking, uplifts the dough from a state of tevel
(spiritual non-readiness) and brings it to a state of khullin (mundane and permitted to its owner), thereby correcting the action of Eve
who gave of the forbidden fruit to her husband.
(Netinat Challah). Nachmanides as well as the Tosafist Isaiah di Trani
explain that it is the actual giving of the Challah portion to the Kohen that is the primary component of the Mitzvah.
, the requirement to separate Challah from the dough was imposed on the owner of the dough, not on the person who kneaded it; hence if the owner was not Jewish, even if the kneader was, Hafrashat Challah was not mandatory. The requirement does not apply to quantities of less than one omer or to bread prepared as animal feed or to dough prepared from a flour derived from anything other than wheat
, barley
, oat
, spelt
, or rye
. Although the Biblical expression when you eat of the bread of the land might be understood as applying only to bread eaten in the Land of Israel, Rabbinic sources interpret that Hafrashat Challah should be observed in the Diaspora
as well.
as a portion of dough equivalent to 43 and 1/5 egg
s, also known as one Issaron. In modern terms;
does not specify how much dough is required to be given to the Kohen, this is discussed in the Talmud
. The rabbinical stipulation is that 1/24 is to be given in the case of private individuals, and 1/48th in the case of a commercial bakery. If the baker forgets to set aside Challah, it is permissible to set aside Challah portion of the bread after it has been baked.
, is likewise not exempt from Challah giving.
necessary for ritual purity.
With this in mind, the Tosefta
, followed by the Rishonim
, encouraged the act of separating "Challah" in order that the Mitzvah not be forgotten entirely, along with the full recitation of a blessing before the dough is separated.
The common practice of Diasporic Jewry is to burn the Challah. However, it is Halachically permitted in the Diaspora to give the separated Challah to a Kohen for consumption, and even encouraged by some Rabbinic authorities, with the provision that the Kohen has immersed in a Mikvah. The Kohen is also required to recite the required Beracha thanking God for sanctifying the Kohanim with the sanctity of Ahron.
record that it is the Minhag
of some Diaspora Jews to be scrupulous in giving Challah (in this case fully baked passover matzah) from the dough used for baking "Matzot Mitzvah" (the Shmurah Matzah eaten during Passover
) to a Kohen minor to eat.
Kohanim of the diaspora have begun initiating requests from Jewish communities and prominent Rabbis to widely implement this Minhag
, citing that its implementation would increase in kiddush Hashem
(per the unique brocha requirement) and reawaken awareness of the key component of the mitzvah of challah -the actual giving of the challah to the Kohen.
Kohen
A Kohen is the Hebrew word for priest. Jewish Kohens are traditionally believed and halachically required to be of direct patrilineal descent from the Biblical Aaron....
. This commandment is one of the twenty-four priestly gifts.
The common modern practice in Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
is to burn the portion to be given the Kohen, although giving the hallah to a Kohen for consumption is permitted outside of Israel (permitted with restrictions, see article below for detail).
In the Hebrew Bible
The origin of the offering is found in Book of NumbersBook of Numbers
The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible, and the fourth of five books of the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch....
15:18-20:
In the above passage "cake" is khallah (חלה) while "of dough" is `ariycah (עריסה). The return of the Jews from the Babylonian exile marked a renewal in adherence to numerous commandments, and the dough offering, "the firstfruits of our dough," is listed as one of them (Nehemiah 10:37).
In the Mishnah and Talmud
The MishnahMishnah
The Mishnah or Mishna is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah". It is also the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism. It was redacted c...
contains a tractate M. Hallah dealing with the dough offering. Among the rulings are that it was prohibited to set aside dough offering and tithes from dough made from grain harvested after the New Year, in behalf of dough made from "old" grain.
The Talmud Yerushalmi implies that the Mitzvah was given before the sin of the Twelve Spies
The Twelve Spies
In the Book of Numbers, The Twelve Spies were a group of Israelite chieftains, one from each of the Twelve Tribes, who were dispatched by Moses to scout out the Land of Canaan for 40 days during the time the Israelites were in the desert...
(Taanit daf 23b)
In Halakha
The halakhicHalakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
sources for the mitzvah are Shulhan Arukh, Yoreh Deah 322 and Maimonides
Maimonides
Moses ben-Maimon, called Maimonides and also known as Mūsā ibn Maymūn in Arabic, or Rambam , was a preeminent medieval Jewish philosopher and one of the greatest Torah scholars and physicians of the Middle Ages...
Bikkurim Chapter 5 Section 1.
The mitzvah of challah, is believed by some textual scholars
Textual criticism
Textual criticism is a branch of literary criticism that is concerned with the identification and removal of transcription errors in the texts of manuscripts...
to originate in the priestly source
Priestly source
The Priestly Source is one of the sources of the Torah/Pentateuch in the bible. Primarily a product of the post-Exilic period when Judah was a province of the Persian empire , P was written to show that even when all seemed lost, God remained present with Israel...
, and to postdate the Challah law codes as presented in the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
.
Rabbinical interpretations
Challah, as one of the twenty four priestly giftsThe twenty-four Kohanic gifts
The twenty four priestly gifts, are a description in the Gemara tradition of offerings given to the Jewish priests. The adjective "kohanic" means "of a kohen", relating to a Jewish priest....
, was a means of sustenance for the Kohanim, who, because of their expected full-time involvement with Temple duties and Torah instruction
The Torah instruction of the Kohanim
The Torah instruction of the Kohanim is an expression used to define Torah instruction and its directives as articulated by the Kohanim....
, did not have land or income derived from it, unlike the other tribes of Israel.
Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno
Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno
Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno was an Italian rabbi, Biblical commentator, philosopher and physician. He was born at Cesena about 1475 and died at Bologna in 1550....
reasons that God wished to negate the negative effect of the sin of The Twelve Spies
The Twelve Spies
In the Book of Numbers, The Twelve Spies were a group of Israelite chieftains, one from each of the Twelve Tribes, who were dispatched by Moses to scout out the Land of Canaan for 40 days during the time the Israelites were in the desert...
by establishing this Mitzvah in order that bracha ("divine blessing") should rest in the homes of and on the dough products of the Jews.
Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz
Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz
Shlomo Ephraim ben Aaron Luntschitz was a rabbi, poet and Torah commentator, best known for his Torah commentary Keli Yakar.-Biography:...
explains that the Land of Israel is sustained by rainfall, whereas crops in Egypt are irrigated by the waters of the Nile river which requires human intervention, making it logical that the first fruits of Israel be presented to God who brings its rainfall.
Other insights on the symbolism of Challah appear in Midrash
Midrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
ic and Kabbalistic
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
literature. The Mitzvah of separating challah is traditionally regarded as one of the three Mitzvot performed especially by women.
In some Kabbalistic
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
literature, such as Shlomo HaKohen of Vilna
Shlomo HaKohen (Vilna)
Shlomo HaKohen was the famed Av Beis Din and Posek of Vilna.In 1828, Shlomo was born to Rabbi Yisroel Meir HaCohen, a dayan in the rabbinic court in Vilna. As a young child, Shlomo was known for his diligence and devotion to Torah study...
's commentary on the Zohar
Zohar
The Zohar is the foundational work in the literature of Jewish mystical thought known as Kabbalah. It is a group of books including commentary on the mystical aspects of the Torah and scriptural interpretations as well as material on Mysticism, mythical cosmogony, and mystical psychology...
, the performing of this commandment by women, who traditionally did the cooking, uplifts the dough from a state of tevel
Tevel
- External links :*...
(spiritual non-readiness) and brings it to a state of khullin (mundane and permitted to its owner), thereby correcting the action of Eve
Eve
Eve is the first woman created by God in the Book of Genesis.Eve may also refer to:-People:*Eve , a common given name and surname*Eve , American recording artist and actress-Places:...
who gave of the forbidden fruit to her husband.
The components of the Mitzvah
The mitzvah of challah is one mitzvah with two parts: (1) separating the required dough (Hafrashat challah), (2) giving the dough to a KohenKohen
A Kohen is the Hebrew word for priest. Jewish Kohens are traditionally believed and halachically required to be of direct patrilineal descent from the Biblical Aaron....
(Netinat Challah). Nachmanides as well as the Tosafist Isaiah di Trani
Isaiah di Trani
Isaiah di Trani ben Mali , better known as the RID, was a prominent Italian Talmudist.- Biography:...
explain that it is the actual giving of the Challah portion to the Kohen that is the primary component of the Mitzvah.
Species of grain
According to the TalmudTalmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
, the requirement to separate Challah from the dough was imposed on the owner of the dough, not on the person who kneaded it; hence if the owner was not Jewish, even if the kneader was, Hafrashat Challah was not mandatory. The requirement does not apply to quantities of less than one omer or to bread prepared as animal feed or to dough prepared from a flour derived from anything other than wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
, barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
, oat
Oat
The common oat is a species of cereal grain grown for its seed, which is known by the same name . While oats are suitable for human consumption as oatmeal and rolled oats, one of the most common uses is as livestock feed...
, spelt
Spelt
Spelt is a hexaploid species of wheat. Spelt was an important staple in parts of Europe from the Bronze Age to medieval times; it now survives as a relict crop in Central Europe and northern Spain and has found a new market as a health food. Spelt is sometimes considered a subspecies of the...
, or rye
Rye
Rye is a grass grown extensively as a grain and as a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe and is closely related to barley and wheat. Rye grain is used for flour, rye bread, rye beer, some whiskeys, some vodkas, and animal fodder...
. Although the Biblical expression when you eat of the bread of the land might be understood as applying only to bread eaten in the Land of Israel, Rabbinic sources interpret that Hafrashat Challah should be observed in the Diaspora
Diaspora
A diaspora is "the movement, migration, or scattering of people away from an established or ancestral homeland" or "people dispersed by whatever cause to more than one location", or "people settled far from their ancestral homelands".The word has come to refer to historical mass-dispersions of...
as well.
Minimal amount of source dough
The minimal quantity of dough whose preparation mandates the performance of the Mitzvah is quantified by ChazalChazal
Chazal or Ḥazal is an acronym for the Hebrew "Ḥakhameinu Zikhronam Liv'rakha",...
as a portion of dough equivalent to 43 and 1/5 egg
Egg (food)
Eggs are laid by females of many different species, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, and have probably been eaten by mankind for millennia. Bird and reptile eggs consist of a protective eggshell, albumen , and vitellus , contained within various thin membranes...
s, also known as one Issaron. In modern terms;
- The quantity that qualifies the reciting of a Brocha is about 1.64 kg.
- A batch of dough weighing between 2 lb 11oz (1.23 kg) and 3 lb 11oz (1.666 kg). qualifies for giving Challah but no Brocha is recited
Amount of the actual gift
The TorahTorah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
does not specify how much dough is required to be given to the Kohen, this is discussed in the Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
. The rabbinical stipulation is that 1/24 is to be given in the case of private individuals, and 1/48th in the case of a commercial bakery. If the baker forgets to set aside Challah, it is permissible to set aside Challah portion of the bread after it has been baked.
Miscellaneous specifics
The Mitzvah is listed as one in effect in Israel even during the Shmittah (Sabbatical) year. Even the pauper who is entitled to collect Peah and would be exempt from giving Maasar (Tithe) is obligated to give Challah from his dough portion. The dough from Maaser SheniMaaser Sheni
The second tithe is a tithe mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and continued in Orthodox Judaism. It is distinguished from the first tithe , the poor tithe, and the terumat ma'aser...
, is likewise not exempt from Challah giving.
The Mitzvah in modern practice
The consumption of Challah by a Kohen in the Land of Israel is forbidden by Torah law due to the absence of the ashes of the Red HeiferRed heifer
The red heifer or red cow was a sacrifice in the Hebrew Bible the ashes of which are used for the ritual purification of an ancient Israelite who had come into contact with a corpse.- Hebrew Bible :...
necessary for ritual purity.
With this in mind, the Tosefta
Tosefta
The Tosefta is a compilation of the Jewish oral law from the period of the Mishnah.-Overview:...
, followed by the Rishonim
Rishonim
"Rishon" redirects here. For the preon model in particle physics, see Harari Rishon Model. For the Israeli town, see Rishon LeZion.Rishonim were the leading Rabbis and Poskim who lived approximately during the 11th to 15th centuries, in the era before the writing of the Shulkhan Arukh and...
, encouraged the act of separating "Challah" in order that the Mitzvah not be forgotten entirely, along with the full recitation of a blessing before the dough is separated.
The common practice of Diasporic Jewry is to burn the Challah. However, it is Halachically permitted in the Diaspora to give the separated Challah to a Kohen for consumption, and even encouraged by some Rabbinic authorities, with the provision that the Kohen has immersed in a Mikvah. The Kohen is also required to recite the required Beracha thanking God for sanctifying the Kohanim with the sanctity of Ahron.
Passover Challah from Shmurah Matzah
The commentators to the Shulchan AruchShulchan Aruch
The Shulchan Aruch also known as the Code of Jewish Law, is the most authoritative legal code of Judaism. It was authored in Safed, Israel, by Yosef Karo in 1563 and published in Venice two years later...
record that it is the Minhag
Minhag
Minhag is an accepted tradition or group of traditions in Judaism. A related concept, Nusach , refers to the traditional order and form of the prayers...
of some Diaspora Jews to be scrupulous in giving Challah (in this case fully baked passover matzah) from the dough used for baking "Matzot Mitzvah" (the Shmurah Matzah eaten during Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
) to a Kohen minor to eat.
Kohanim of the diaspora have begun initiating requests from Jewish communities and prominent Rabbis to widely implement this Minhag
Minhag
Minhag is an accepted tradition or group of traditions in Judaism. A related concept, Nusach , refers to the traditional order and form of the prayers...
, citing that its implementation would increase in kiddush Hashem
Kiddush Hashem
The sanctification of the Name The sanctification of the Name The sanctification of the Name (in Hebrew kiddush Hashem is a precept of Judaism. It includes sanctification of the name by being holy.-Hebrew Bible:...
(per the unique brocha requirement) and reawaken awareness of the key component of the mitzvah of challah -the actual giving of the challah to the Kohen.
Daily challah yield
As of 2011, there are approximately 13 shumrah matzah bakeries in the diaspora. Collectively, the amount of challah produced is as follows (approximate):| Shmurah Matzah Bakery | approximate daily challah yield |
|---|---|
| Shotzer | 9 lbs. |
| Crown heights | 10.5 lbs. |
| Boro park | 10 lbs. |
| Chareidim (Belz) | 9 lbs. |
| Puppa | 9 lbs. |
| Satmar (Brooklyn) | 7 lbs. |
| Kerestier | 7 lbs. |
| Satmar (Monroe) | 8 lbs. |
| Montreal | 9 lbs. |
| Monsey | 6 lbs. |
| Lakewood | 8 lbs. |
| Kiryas Yoel | 7 lbs. |
| USSR (machine made) | |
| Shotzer | 8 lbs. |