Starting a Challah Baking Ceremony: First Steps

Before engaging in the mitzvah of separating challah, let's start with some preparations:

1. Hand washing.

2. Giving charity.

3. Lighting a candle.

These preparations are not mandatory (except for hand washing if the hands are unclean and the challah is being separated with a blessing). However, they enhance the mitzvah and express our joy in it.

Hand Washing Before Separating Challah

It's good to wash your hands once on each hand before separating challah with a blessing.

The reason is that our hands are often busy and not always clean, so it is appropriate to wash them before any mitzvah that involves a blessing, to honor the blessing (Magen Avraham, Siman 162).

If a woman knows her hands are unclean, she is obligated to wash.

If she doesn't know, the washing is recommended but not mandatory.

Note that the hand washing is without a blessing.

Lighting Candles Before Challah Separation

Wondering which candles to light? Some have the custom to light candles in honor of righteous spirits, invoking their merit on our behalf.

For example, lighting a candle for Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes while reciting the common prayer: "Elaka DaMeir Aneini" - twice (Lev Chaim 2:160).

Some light candles in honor of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, asking for his protection, among others.

Each person can light a candle for the righteous individual she feels connected to, or in honor of a tzaddik's yahrzeit (anniversary of passing).

The practice of lighting a candle for elevating a soul is deeply spiritual. Rabbeinu Bachya writes that the soul for which the candle is lit benefits from the spiritual light, as the soul is spiritual and light, too, is spiritual. The soul gravitates towards what resembles it, hence it enjoys the light lit in its memory. As King Solomon compares the soul to a candle: "The soul of man is the lamp of Hashem" (Proverbs 20:27) (Parashat Terumah, Rabbeinu Bachya).

Lighting candles for the righteous brings them joy, and in return, they intercede for us (Divrei Sophrim 62).

When lighting a candle in honor of the righteous, remember:

- Mention the name of the tzaddik to bring joy to their soul

When lighting the candle to elevate the soul, declare that it's in honor of the tzaddik – and say their name.

This practice is significant, as Ben Ish Chai states that mentioning the departed's name for whom the candle is lit sends pleasure to their soul, even from afar (Teshut Torah Lishma, Siman 520).

- Do not pray to the tzaddik but ask Hashem for mercy through their merit

When lighting candles for tzaddikim and praying, it's crucial not to request that the tzaddik save or fulfill our wishes, but as Mishnah Berurah says, "Ask the Holy One to show mercy through the merit of the tzaddikim resting in the earth" (Mishnah Berurah 581:27).

- One candle for each tzaddik

When lighting candles for multiple tzaddikim, it's advisable to light a separate candle for each tzaddik.

Giving Charity Before Separating Challah

If possible, it's recommended to give charity before performing the mitzvah, followed by a heartfelt prayer.

This tradition is supported by the Ben Ish Chai:

"Some women give coins to charity before separating challah, lighting Shabbat candles, and before the mikveh, remembered by the acronym Chana, which stands for challah, niddah, and lighting" (Ben Ish Chai, Parashat Lech Lecha, Second Year, Letter 6).

The reason for giving charity before the mitzvah of separating challah is to pair the power of charity with the mitzvah, and through the strength of both mitzvot, our prayers are more likely to be received, with the help of Hashem. As Rambam states, charity aids in the acceptance of prayers (Laws of Gifts to the Poor 10:15).

Who wouldn't want to ensure their prayers are heard?! In mere moments, we can fulfill several significant mitzvot – how fortunate we are.

We have washed our hands, perhaps lit candles in memory of the righteous, and given charity. Now, the auspicious time strengthens, and we proceed to the mitzvah itself, the mitzvah of separating challah.

The full chapter is available in the book "Paths of Challah", by Rebbetzin Esther Toliday.

Home Study and Challah Separation — to book a home event and challah separation ceremony: Tel: 073-2221290, Email aviva@htv.co.il