Lema'seh! Contemporary Halacha

For a PDF version of the halachot, click here.

Challah

From each batch of kneaded dough, the Torah obligates us to separate a small amount of dough, challah. This challah is meant for a kohen and should be eaten in a state of purity. From a batch of dough containing at least 1.2 kg of grain flour, separate challah without a blessing. From a batch with 1.66 kg and more, separate challah with a blessing (some authorities rule that a larger quantity is required to say a blessing). Optimally, separate the challah from the dough. If already baked, it is still possible to separate challah from the baked goods. Baked goods from a soft, watery batter are not obligated in challah, such as thin pancakes.

Today, kohanim are impure so we do not give them the challah. Instead we either burn the challah or double wrap and dispose it.

What do you do with the challah?

Hafrashat challah events In order to say a blessing on separating challah at an event where the dough is baked and challah loaves are distributed to the participants at the end, there are two possibilities: Distribute the challah loaves randomly; participants do not necessarily receive the challah loaves that they prepared. One of the participants takes home a large amount of bread (containing at least 1.66 kg flour). Hafrashat challah at preschools and elementary schools Sometimes teachers prepare dough and give out dough to each student to form a loaf (whereas each piece of dough is less than the amount requiring the separation of challah). If afterwards, the teacher plans to bake all of the loaves together in the oven, the teacher should separate challah from the dough without a blessing. If each student takes their dough and bakes it at home separately, the dough is exempt from the obligation of separating challah. If the flour was bought using the school (or preschool) budget, it is possible to say a blessing on the separation, even in the latter case.  

Chadash

The Torah forbids partaking of the five grains (wheat, barley, spelt, oats, and rye) that grew during the same year before the bringing of the omer offering, which was brought annually on 16 Nissan. Following the destruction of the Second Beit Hamikdash, even though it was technically permissible to eat the grain from the morning of 16 Nissan, Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai instituted avoiding eating this grain until nightfall, in remembrance of the Beit Hamikdash. All grain products (flour, bread, cereal, beer, and various products that contain gluten and grain-based starch) that passed the date 16 Nissan are not subject to the chadash (new grain) prohibition. This applies also to grains still attached to the ground on 16 Nissan. In contrast, grain that took root and began to grow only after 16 Nissan will be forbidden to eat until 16 Nissan the next year. In Israel the chadash prohibition is not prevalent since the local climate is suited for growing winter grains that take root before 16 Nissan. Furthermore, Israel’s Chief Rabbinate do not approve the import of kosher products that include chadash grain (wheat, barley, oats, spelt, rye).

Outside Israel – Shulchan Aruch rules that the chadash prohibition applies even outside the Land of Israel. However, there are communities that are lenient regarding the prohibition, especially with grains that grew on land belonging to non-Jews. Many kashrut agencies outside Israel certify products with chadash grain, relying on the lenient opinions.

There are many more halachot connected to the the Land that we must adhere to.  For example, terumot and ma'aserot, orlah, halachot of planting a home garden and more!

For details on the above, along with brachot and other tefillot that should be said in different situations, please click here:

Mitzvot of the Land in a Nutshell

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