Halacha Yomis - Hafrashas challah guidelines OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)

Q. What is the size of dough that requires hafrashas challah? A. Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 324:1) writes that the mitzvah of hafrashas challah depends exclusively on the volume of flour. If a Jew makes dough from one or more of the five grains (wheat, barley, spelt, oats, rye) that contains the volume of 43.2 beitzim (eggs) of flour then challah must be taken. However, there is a wide ranging dispute as to how to measure the volume of an egg. Since, the ratio of volume to weight for flour is known; it is more common to state the amount of flour that will require hafrashas challah in pounds. From slightly more than half a 5 lb. bag of flour, until slightly less than a full bag of flour, challah should be taken without a beracha On a full 5 lb. bag of flour, challah should be taken with a beracha.