Understanding the Significance of Challah Separation

A seasoned dish is often more enjoyable, just as understanding the deeper meanings behind mitzvot can enhance our fulfillment of them. Though these insights may only provide a glimpse of the mitzvah's full significance, which we'll understand completely in the future, they can still invigorate our practice. Maimonides notes: "It is appropriate to reflect on them and assign a reason where possible" (Maimonides, Laws of Substitution 4:13).

Separation of Challah: A Remembrance of Temple Gifts

The Sefer HaChinuch explains that the mitzvah of giving challah to the Kohanim (priests) stems from when they served in the Holy Temple, free from material concerns. The people of Israel were commanded to provide for them (Sefer HaChinuch, Mitzvah 285).

During Temple times, dough was separated and gifted to a Kohen, as part of the 24 gifts that supported their holy work.

Nowadays, challah separation is a remembrance of this offering.

Since the Temple's destruction, Kohanim cannot attain the purity required to eat the separated challah, as purification requires the ashes of a red heifer. Therefore, today, we don't give them the challah as was done in the Temple.

However, the mitzvah remains, and we continue to separate challah in memory of the gift once made to the Kohanim.

We hope for the Temple's swift rebuilding, when we can again present this gift, allowing the Kohanim to focus solely on their sacred duties.

Yet, until that time, other interpretations offer further meaning.

Separation of Challah: Teaching Self-Discipline

When we separate a portion of dough, exercising restraint and control, we demonstrate self-discipline. A Jew is expected to act with measured self-restraint, resisting the pull of indulgence that challenges one's spiritual focus.

Separation of Challah: Elevating the Physical to Spiritual

Another perspective on separating challah is the elevation of the physical - represented by dough - to a spiritual plane.

By performing the mitzvah, the mundane symbol of physical sustenance is uplifted.

This fulfills our spiritual mission in the world.

Separation of Challah: Strengthening Faith

The mitzvah of separating challah reinforces the belief that our work does not alone provide our sustenance. Instead, all comes from Hashem's generous hand. This realization enhances our faith and spreads Hashem's presence in the world.

Especially with bread, a staple of life, we are reminded through separation of challah that our livelihood is ultimately from Hashem, as it is written: "Man does not live on bread alone, but on all that comes from the mouth of Hashem" (Deuteronomy 8:3).

Though we labor extensively to produce bread – sowing, harvesting, grinding, kneading, and baking – our existence is determined "by the word of Hashem." Our efforts are mere exertions, while sustenance is granted by divine will.

A fascinating hint is found in the blessing for challah separation: "to separate challah from the dough."

Dough numerologically equals 145.

Challah equals 43.

Subtracting challah (43) from dough (145) leaves 102, the value of faith.

Separation of Challah as Thanksgiving and Reminder

We are obligated to separate challah when we have enough dough to sustain us for a day – symbolizing the manna collected "an omer per person" (Eruvin 83beit).

If we manage to acquire our daily bread, we separate challah, giving thanks to Hashem and acknowledging our efforts as mere exertions, while sustenance ultimately is from him.

Separation of Challah and Rejection of Idolatry

The sages say: "One who fulfills challah separation is as if they have nullified idolatry" (Midrash Rabbah Tazria 15).

Commentator Maharzu interprets this as giving the first portion (the first of the dough) to the first – Hashem, who was before all creation. Through this act, we declare our faith in Hashem as the creator of the world.

How is idolatry rejected through faith in Hashem?

If a person believes "my power and the strength of my hand made this" and credits success to themselves rather than Hashem, this is akin to idolatry.

Conversely, observing the mitzvah of challah reveals that everything is from Hashem, thus countering that sense of "my power" and enhancing appreciation of Hashem's authority (based on Etz Hayim commentary).

Challah Separation and Honoring Hashem

The purpose of creation is to magnify Hashem's glory, as it says: "All who are called by my name, for my glory, I created, formed, and made" (Isaiah 43:7).

When we separate dough's first portion, we affirm Hashem as the creator of all, thus fulfilling the world's creation purpose to honor Him.

Accordingly, the sages taught: "The world was created for the sake of three things: challah, tithes, and first fruits" (Genesis Rabbah 1:4). These mitzvot teach us to remember that all comes from Him, achieving creation's goal of magnifying divine glory.

Without these mitzvot, people might forget this, making the world's creation unjustified.

Separation of Challah as the Foundation of Faith

The Talmud, Makkot 23b, explains that all mitzvot stem from faith, and the mitzvah of challah, by strengthening faith, encompasses all 613 mitzvot (Hagahot Maimoniot on Maimonides, end of Challah).

Challah Separation as a Reminder and Guard Against Overexertion

Another purpose of challah separation is to remember our sustenance is from Hashem, and excessive effort won't increase provision:

"The Creator commanded us to separate from our bread's beginning for the Kohen of kindness, so that we don't think that man sustains himself with food or through his effort alone, thus prioritizing short-term over spiritual engagement."

The Eternal commanded us to separate at our dough's start for the Kohen of kindness, to remind us that sustenance was always in Hashem's hands, provided freely and without excessive endeavor." (Agaras HaKala, Genesis commentary page 51a).

Unnecessary exertions aren't just unproductive; they detract from focusing on serving Hashem.

Amid life's hustle, raising children and earning a living, a moment of challah separation is a powerful reminder: "Don't add more hours, more toil. Sustenance is from Hashem; your main duty is to serve Him. Regular effort is necessary, but deepen your faith, and He will provide gracefully!"

Challah Separation: Acknowledging Hashem's Grace with Bread

The psalms declare: "He gives food to all flesh, for His love endures forever" (Psalms 136:25).

And: "You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing" (Psalms 145:16).

The sages interpret this as Hashem nourishing each creature according to its needs (Metzudot David).

Hashem provides for each of us, and we are grateful, not only through blessings but also through challah separation.

In delving deeper, we find occasion to thank Hashem for the bread's process and digestion, both wonderous events.

Challah Separation Invokes Hashem's Blessing on Bread

Sefer HaChinuch suggests: "Since man's life depends on sustenance, and most of the world relies on bread, the Creator desired to endow us with a constant mitzvah through our bread."

Through such constant mitzvah, we earn perpetual blessing, making bread nourishment for both body and soul.

Why through bread specifically?

Because blessed bread provides nourishment for the soul.

"So that a blessing rests upon it through the mitzvah, enriching our souls; thus, dough becomes nourishment for body and soul" (Sefer HaChinuch, Mitzvah 285).

In His goodness, Hashem desired a daily blessing through the daily staple of bread, instituting challah separation for its blessing to be not just for the body but also soul – a crucial need.

Similarly, Ben Ish Chai writes: "Separate your dough and blessings will fill your home, and you will eat your bread in health" (Hok Leyisrael for Women, Women 40).

Through challah separation, Hashem bestows blessing over bread, allowing consumption in good health.

The physical nourishment from bread alone does not suffice, as we learn: "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word from Hashem's mouth" (Deuteronomy 8:3). We cannot thrive on bread alone, but on Hashem's words. Only when He imbues our food with blessing is it truly life-giving for body and spirit.

To infuse bread with Hashem's essence, we fulfill the mitzvah of challah separation.

The complete text can be found in the book "Paths of the Challah" by Rabbanit Esther Toulidano.

Department of Home Gatherings and Challah Separation – for home gatherings and challah separation bookings: Tel: 073-2221290, Email aviva@htv.co.il