Bread that is not obviously pet food

Hi,

We have said that we do not separate Challah from dough which is designated for animal consumption. However, if the product looks like it could just as easily be for human consumption, we are required to separate Challah, without reciting a berachah; we are concerned about appearances.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 330:9; Pitchei Teshuvah 330:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Separating Challah from pet food

Hi,

We do not separate challah from dough prepared specifically for animal consumption.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 330:8-9)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Challah owned by a non-Jew

Hi,

Challah must be separated from dough owned by a Jew-non-Jew partnership, so long as the Jew owns at least the minimum quantity obligated in Challah-tithing. There is no distinction between dough physically prepared by a Jew and dough physically prepared by a non-Jew; ownership is the defining factor.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 330:1-3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Challah with fruit juice?

Hi,

Dough that is prepared with fruit juice rather than water is viewed as quasi-bread for several halachic issues. As a result, one who prepares bread with fruit juice should not recite a blessing when separating challah.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 329:9; Shach Yoreh Deah 329:9)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Haircuts for Lag ba'Omer this year

Hi,

There is an interesting quirk in this year's calendar: Lag ba'Omer occurs on Motzaei Shabbat and Sunday.

The Rama mentioned an Ashkenazi practice of taking haircuts on the Friday preceding Lag ba'Omer when Lag ba'Omer is a Sunday, in honor of Shabbat. (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 493:2) [Note that this would not affect any of the other mourning practices associated with the first part of the omer, such as listening to musical performances.]

As always, please consult your community's rabbinic authorities in determining your practice.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Which type of dough requires Challah?

Hi,

My most recent post, regarding the type of dough that requires challah, was incomplete; I have now deleted it from the website archive. Here is a more complete, and accurate, description of the law:

Grain-based dough which is baked in an oven requires challah separation, whether it is solid dough (as in bread dough) or more of a liquid batter (as in cookies, brownies or cake). Grain-based dough which is boiled in water or fried does not require challah separation, whether it is solid dough or more of a liquid batter.

The only exception to these rules is a solid dough which was intended for baking at the mixing stage, but was then boiled or fried. Because this dough was intended for baking at the mixing stage, one must separate challah.

Note that for a liquid batter, one separates challah after the baking solidifies it, according to the Star-K here.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 239:1-5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

When is challah separated? Part III

Hi,

If challah was not separated from dough in its earlier stages, and the dough was baked into bread, one should separate challah from the baked bread itself.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 327:5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai