Why Homemade Challah is Worth the Effort

We might ask ourselves: Why should I bother baking challah myself? Why not buy them ready-made and save time and effort?

To answer this question, let's dive into the mitzvah of taking challah and explore its depths.

Feelings aren't something we can order our mind to understand, but when we truly grasp something, we feel connected to it, and our emotions follow.

Therefore, as we learn about the special process of baking challah, involving spiritual renewal and prayers, we connect deeply to the baking and the mitzvah with all our souls. We'll truly feel in our heart that a store-bought challah doesn't compare to one baked by a Jewish mother in her warm kitchen.

A bought challah is like 'a body without a soul.' It is automatically baked using machines, without heart or intention. Even hand-made challah lacks the intentions or prayers that match those of a Jewish mother unless we count the intentions of profit or efficiency...

There's no substitute for the pure intentions of a woman of valor and the Jewish mother. Her prayers for peace, education, divine presence, salvation, and closeness to Hashem are irreplaceable.

Challah made by a woman of valor is full of heart and soul, infused with intentions, prayers, and requests, while connecting to Hashem in faith and reverence.

A Woman Who Doesn't Bake Challah

Some of us experience unusual burdens or life trials, and even if these women know that taking challah can alleviate their challenges, organizing themselves to bake may seem impossible. Each of us might experience challenging times, where baking challah seems unfeasible.

After reading this book, even a very busy woman might want to bake challah, or at least try to do it once a year to bring merit for Yom Kippur.

But if she really can't, it's important not to feel frustrated. Negative feelings towards ourselves only lead to despair. If life doesn't allow frequent baking, let's thank Hashem for the challah in the store and use them during busy times. Let's pray to have the merit to bake when possible, and when we have the chance, let's not miss it, as baking brings abundant blessings to our home.

This book will illustrate the impact challah can have within us, and when we see its importance, the desire will awaken, and we will receive the strength and time needed for baking from Heaven. In the help of Hashem, we'll discover we're capable of committing to it, just like we do with other important matters.

Taking Challah at a Bakery

Some bakeries allow women to come and take challah. This option can assist a busy woman, but some specifics need attention to avoid halachic questions:

If a woman takes challah at a bakery without bringing dough home – the bakery owner must appoint her as an agent to take challah on his behalf, as only the dough's owner can take challah from it.

If a woman takes dough home – this can be problematic because dough divided among several people might be exempt from taking challah, even if each portion is of sufficient size.

The full chapter is in the book "Sheviley Hachallah", by Rebbetzin Esther Tolidoano.

Challah House Gatherings and Challah Taking – For orders of house gatherings and challah taking, contact: Phone 073-2221290, Email aviva@htv.co.il