Separating Challah

Hi,

Today we begin a new set of laws: Separating Challah.

"Challah" is a biblical term for the piece of dough one separates when preparing bread. This piece of dough is supposed to be given to a kohen; only kohanim may eat it, and only when both the kohanim and the dough are tahor (pure from ritual contamination).

The biblical mitzvah applies specifically in Israel (see Bamidbar 15:17-21), but outside of Israel there is a rabbinic mitzvah to separate challah. Certain types of impurity only disqualify a kohen from eating the biblical challah, but for all practical purposes, no kohen today may eat biblical or rabbinic challah.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 322:1, 2, 3, 5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai