The Art and Mystery of Challah Separation

Recipe Step-by-Step:

2 kilograms of sifted flour

6 tablespoons of sugar (sprinkle in the center of the dough)

2 tablespoons of salt (sprinkle at the edges of the dough)

3-4 tablespoons of dry yeast (sprinkle in the center of the dough)

4-5 cups of water

Knead the dough and add 1/3 cup of oil at the end

Let the dough rise for about half an hour.

Now perform the challah separation with the blessings.

After separating the challah, braid it, glaze it with beaten egg and a bit of water, and sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds on top.

Important: After baking, cover the challah and the tray with a towel.

Planning to separate challah? Essential halachic guidelines

Rabbi Avraham Yosef - From what amount of dough is challah separation required?

Challah Separation Guide - Halachic Laws

A. Dough containing at least 1.667 kilograms of flour (as per tradition) mixed with water requires the separation of challah with a blessing. For less, separate without a blessing.

B. When to separate challah? Once the flour is combined with water. It's preferable to wait until the dough is kneaded. If forgotten, separate from the bread post-baking.

First, cover the dough, then bless and take a small piece designated as challah.

C. After separating challah, the portion intended as challah is not to be consumed today, even by priests, and should be disposed of respectfully. Wrap in two bags and discard, or burn it with tin foil on a gas flame, but not in an oven.

Prayers During Bread Preparation

This mitzvah protects the woman and her household from harsh decrees. The time of performing this mitzvah is an auspicious time before Hashem, hence, one should pray fervently and light a candle for a righteous person whose merit may stand.

During flour sifting: Dear Hashem, help me remove the unnecessary and make clear distinctions. Aid me in discerning the permitted from the forbidden.

Adding sugar: Symbolizes kindness. Dear Hashem, help me embody kindness, to be a loving and supportive wife and mother, to speak only good words, to bless and encourage my husband and children. Help me sweeten my traits.

Adding salt: Salt signifies boundaries. Dear Hashem, help me set fitting boundaries with love, so my children have balance. Teach them to accept limits with love.

Adding yeast: Help me have enthusiasm in divine service, to bring energy into my home, to be lively and joyous in a modest way.

Adding water: Water symbolizes Torah. Help me nurture a home of Torah, learning with passion and joy, fostering a love for Torah.

Adding oil: Oil represents blessings. Hashem, grant us good livelihood, happiness, and blessings in our home, in educating our children, in all our endeavors.

During kneading: I'm about to separate challah. Hashem, grant me gentleness in divine service, bless those who consume this bread with health to serve You. Help bring close those who have strayed.

Cover the dough and pray: I am about to separate challah, may the blessing in this dough be like the doughs of our matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah. Bless us with prosperity and joy.

Prayer Before Challah Separation

(I am about to separate challah) May it be Your will, Hashem, that through this mitzvah and through this act of separation, the sin of Eve, the mother of all living, will be rectified. May it help remove death from the world, wipe away tears, and bring blessing to our home. Amen.

May this mitzvah be like the offering on the altar, received favorably, and like the challah given to the priest for atonement. Allow this to atone for my sins, as though I am reborn, clean to fulfill Shabbat and holy days.

Steps for Challah Separation:

It is good to wash hands three times in alternation and give charity.

May it be Your will, Hashem, that the mitzvah of separating challah be as if fulfilled in every detail, and let the lifting of the challah be like an altar offering. Let this atone for sins, so I may observe Shabbat and holidays with sacredness.

Prayer for Redemption

May it be Your will, Master of the Universe, to have mercy on every man and woman, child or adult in Israel, in distress. Save them, bless them, return them to complete repentance, redeem us for Your name's sake.

For Home Gatherings & Challah Separation – For Bookings: Tel: 073-2221290, Email aviva@htv.co.il

Maran Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef - How to fulfill the mitzvah of separating challah?

Rabbi Avraham Yosef: Is it permissible to combine two different doughs for challah separation?

Rabbi Zamir Cohen - Secret and Merit of Challah Separation According to Kabbalah

Secrets and Merits of Challah Separation

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