The Art of Challah: A Tradition of Blessings
Explore the full text of the blessing for the separation of challah, a practice steeped in tradition and rich with spiritual significance.
- הרבנית אסתר טולדנו
- פורסם כ"א אייר התשע"ד
#VALUE!
Before you recite the prayer, some have the custom to say:
I am here to fulfill the mitzvah of separating challah, to connect its roots to a higher place, to bring joy to our Creator and fulfill the will of our Maker.
This is a common practice before many mitzvot (as noted in Sefer Shaarei Tzion, page 26b, Siddur Beit Oved, Ben Ish Chai).
Then, say twice: "May the sweetness of Hashem our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; and establish the work of our hands" (Pele Yoetz, Ben Ish Chai year 2 Matot section 4, Berkei Yosef OH 25:11, Torah Lishmah question 17).
Explanation of the words:
"May the sweetness" - May the sweetness of the Lord be upon us.
"And establish the work of our hands upon us" - Prepare us to be perfected and ready to perform the mitzvah completely, without any mishap during the act.
"And establish the work of our hands" - Prepare the deed itself so that there is no mishap or loss (based on Metzudat David on Psalms 90:17).
The saying of "May the sweetness" is so important that when the Israelites built the Tabernacle, the Divine Presence did not dwell until Moses and Aaron said "May the sweetness," and then the Divine Presence rested on the Tabernacle (based on Rashi on Leviticus 9:23).
Prayer Before Separating Challah
"May it be Your will, Hashem, our God and the God of our fathers, that by virtue of this mitzvah and by the merit of separating this offering, the sin of Eve, the mother of all life who brought death upon Adam, the first man, who is the dough of the world, will be rectified; and by this mitzvah, death will be nullified from the world, tears will be wiped from every face, and blessing will be sent into our homes. Amen, so may it be Your will. And may it be Your will to bless our dough, just as You sent blessing to the dough of our mothers, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, and may the verse be fulfilled in us: 'Of the first of your dough you shall give to the priest that he may rest a blessing on your house.' Amen, so may it be Your will.
The Separation of Challah is Divided into Three Steps:
1. The blessing over the separation of challah.
2. Separating a piece of challah from the dough.
3. Declaring "This is challah."
- Some say that one should first separate the challah and then bless (see detailed sources in the chapter on the laws of the mitzvah of separating challah).
The Blessing Over the Separation of Challah
Sefardic Custom:
Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to separate challah as an offering (Ben Ish Chai, Year 1 Tzav section 19, Kav Hayashar 257:9).
Ashkenazi Custom:
Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to separate challah (Taz YD 324:1, Shach there).
* In the first instance, each person should follow their ancestral custom.
* In hindsight, the obligation is fulfilled with either formula.
* The one separating with a blessing should stand during the mitzvah (Piskei Teshuvot 328:2).
* According to halacha, a blessing is recited only if there is a certain amount of flour in the dough – see the chapter on the laws of the mitzvah of separating challah.
**If you separate challah in front of the family, it's an opportunity to teach them about the importance of answering Amen.
It is said that: "Whoever answers Amen becomes a partner with Hashem in the work of creation" (Kol Bo Siman 7).
In the Prayer of Hannah, it is noted by the Saba of Kelm:
"It is worth being created and coming into this world, even to endure the sufferings of Job for seventy years, just to say Amen once."
So great is the answering of Amen, that "Whoever answers Amen with all their strength, the gates of the Garden of Eden are opened for them" (Shabbat 119b).
And whoever prolongs the answering of Amen is rewarded more, as it is said: "Whoever prolongs saying Amen is granted a long life of goodness" (Jerusalem Talmud, Brachos 8:8).
A blessing without Amen sometimes cannot make its way to heaven and cannot operate there; it's like an unsent envelope. What's its value?
Even if the envelope is beautiful and its contents precious, if we do not send it – it is worth nothing.
The full chapter can be found in the book, "Paths of the Challah", by Rebbetzin Esther Tolideano.
Challah Classes and Separations – To book a home class or separation ceremony: Tel. 073-2221290, Email aviva@htv.co.il
