It is well known\u00a0that there is a minimum quantity of dough that must be mixed to obligate the separation of Challa, especially with a Beracha. It is somewhat less publicized that if one created a sufficient amount but with the intent to divide it into smaller portions for distribution, the quantity intended to be sent away does not count towards this threshold and the loaves intended for different individuals cannot be combined to reach the minimal quantity. Recently, much effort has been made to increase awareness of this Halacha, albeit leading to some misunderstandings.<\/p>\n
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I have frequently been asked different variations of essentially the same question.<\/p>\n
\u201cI bake 5 pounds of Challa\u00a0each week in order to say a Beracha, but my immediate family cannot eat all this in a single week so we send loaves to parents\/married children\/neighbors etc. Is this a correct thing to do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI run a Gan where the children every Thursday receive a portion of dough from a single batch to craft their individual loaves to bring home for Shabbos. Should I be taking Challa from this dough?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI bake a large quantity of bulkelach\/danishes\u00a0to give out for Mishloach\u00a0Manos\u00a0each year. Can I take Challa\u00a0with a Beracha?\u201d<\/p>\n
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The answer to all of these questions is a qualified \u201cYes\u201d.<\/p>\n
While it is true that the Shulchan\u00a0Aruch\u00a0Yoreh\u00a0Deah\u00a0326:2 states that an average person who kneads\u00a0a Shiur\u00a0of dough but intends to divide it up among a number of people, each of whom will receive less than a Shiur, should not separate Challa; he is describing a situation where it is being divided prior to baking. The Shach\u00a0and Taz there both confirm that this distinction is exclusive, and bread divided after the baking is not included in this Halacha.<\/p>\n
Apparently, it was not uncommon for women to purchase dough to bake at home. When a large quantity of dough is mixed commercially or otherwise, but not intended to be baked together, it does not require Hafrashas\u00a0Challa. Nevertheless, if all the dough will be baked in the same house and only subsequently divided up and distributed among various individuals, Challa must be taken by the baker. This is generally our situation.<\/p>\n
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Therefore, in all of the cases above, since a sufficient quantity was mixed simultaneously and it will all be baked at the same general time, it requires Hafrashas\u00a0Challa\u00a0with a Beracha.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It is well known\u00a0that there is a minimum quantity of dough that must be mixed to obligate the separation of Challa, especially with a Beracha. It is somewhat less publicized that if one created a sufficient amount but with the … Continue reading