Hafrashat Challah: The Sacred Mitzvah of Separating Challah

Understanding Hafrashat Challah: A Sacred Moment of Blessing

When a Jewish woman lifts a piece of dough toward Heaven, something special happens. This is hafrashat challah. It is one of the most powerful moments in a Jewish woman’s week.

The Yehi Ratzon prayer said at this time has an amazing promise. Through this mitzvah, a woman can become “as if born anew, clean from sin.”

The source for this mitzvah is found in Bamidbar (Numbers) 15:17-21, where Hashem commands us to set aside a portion of our dough. Jewish women have done hte mitzvah of hafrashan challah for over 3,000 years. It is one of three special mitzvos for women. The other two are family purity and lighting Shabbos candles (Mishnah Shabbos 2:6).

The Talmud (Shabbos 32b) teaches that this mitzvah brings blessing to the home. When we give the first part of our dough to Hashem, He blesses us in return. The prophet Yechezkel (44:30) promises: “Give the first of your dough to the Kohen (priest), to bring blessing to your house.”

This guide gives you everything you need to know, including:

• The complete hafrashat challah bracha in Hebrew with translation
• The Yehi Ratzon prayers said before and after
• How much flour you need
• Step-by-step instructions for performing hafrashat challah, including the bracha, prayers, and what to do with the separated piece

What Is Hafrashat Challah? Understanding the Challah Separation Mitzvah

Hafrashat challah means “separating challah.” The word “hafrasha” (הפרשה) means separation. The word “challah” (חלה) is the piece of dough we set aside as holy. (The loaves of bread we eat on Shabbos are also called “challah” as a reminder of this mitzvah.)

When you bake bread, you take a small piece of dough and set it aside for Hashem. This piece becomes holy.

In Temple times, this piece went to the Kohanim (priests). It was one of 24 gifts given to them (Bamidbar 18:8-19). The Torah calls it “terumah”—a gift lifted up to Hashem (Bamidbar 15:20). The Mishnah (Challah 2:7) says that a person at home gives 1/24th of the batch. A baker making big amounts gives 1/48th.

Today, we cannot give it to a Kohen (priest). We do not have the purity needed. So we burn the piece or wrap it and throw it away with respect.

The mitzvah applies to dough made from five grains: wheat, barley, spelt, oats, or rye (Mishnah Challah 1:1). If you use enough flour, you must separate challah before eating the bread.

Both men and women must do this mitzvah. But women come first when they are home (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 35:1).

The moment of hafrashat challah is called an “eis ratzon.” This means a special time when prayers are heard in Heaven. Many women say this time feels like a private talk with Hashem.

Prayer Hebrew Prayer Ashkenazi Prayer Sephardi Prayer English

Yehi Ratzon — Before Separating Challah
(after the dough is ready, before the bracha)
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה׳ אֱלֹקֵינוּ וֵאלֹקֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁבִּזְכוּת מִצְוָה זוֹ וּבִזְכוּת הַפְרָשַׁת הַתְּרוּמָה, יְתֻקַּן עֲוֹן חַוָּה אֵם כָּל חַי, שֶׁסָּבְבָה מִיתָתוֹ לְאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁהוּא עִיסָּתוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם. וּבִזְכוּת מִצְוָה זוֹ תְּבַטֵּל הַמָּוֶת מִן הָעוֹלָם, וְתִמְחֶה דִּמְעָה מֵעַל פָּנִים, וְתִשְׁלַח בְּרָכָה בְּבֵיתֵנוּ. אָמֵן כֵּן יְהִי רָצוֹן.
וְכֵן יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ שֶׁתְּבָרֵךְ עִיסּוֹתֵינוּ כְּמוֹ שֶׁשָּׁלַחְתָּ בָּהּ בְּרָכָה בְּעִיסּוֹת אִמּוֹתֵינוּ שָׂרָה, רִבְקָה, רָחֵל וְלֵאָה. וִיקֻיַּם בָּנוּ הַפָּסוּק: "רֵאשִׁית עֲרִיסֹתֵיכֶם תִּתְּנוּ לַכֹּהֵן לְהָנִיחַ בְּרָכָה אֶל בֵּיתֶךָ." אָמֵן כֵּן יְהִי רָצוֹן.

Blessing for Hafrashat Challah
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַפְרִישׁ חַלָּה

Right After Separating
Right after you pull off the piece, say:
"הֲרֵי זוֹ חַלָּה"
This makes the piece officially holy. Say it out loud. If you forgot, the separation still counts.

Yehi Ratzon — After Separating Challah (Main Prayer)
(say this tefillah after pulling off the piece of dough)
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ, ה׳ אֱלוֹקֵינוּ וֶאֱלֹקֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁיִּבָּנֶה בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ בִּמְהֵרָה בְּיָמֵינוּ, וְתֵן חֶלְקֵנוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶךָ, וְשָׁם נַעֲבָדְךָ בְּיִרְאָה כִּימֵי עוֹלָם וּכְשָׁנִים קַדְמֹנִיּוֹת.
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ, ה׳ אֱלוֹקֵינוּ וֶאֱלֹקֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁהַמִּצְוָה שֶׁל הַפְרָשַׁת חַלָּה תֵּחָשֵׁב כְּאִלּוּ קִיַּמְתִּיהָ בְּכָל פְּרָטֶיהָ וְדִקְדּוּקֶיהָ, וְתֵחָשֵׁב הֲרָמַת הַחַלָּה שֶׁאֲנִי מְרִימָהּ, כְּמוֹ הַקָּרְבָּן שֶׁהֻקְרַב עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ שֶׁנִּתְקַבֵּל בְּרָצוֹן.
וּכְמוֹ שֶׁלְּפָנִים הָיְתָה הַחַלָּה נְתוּנָה לַכֹּהֵן וְהָיְתָה זוֹ לְכַפָּרַת עֲווֹנוֹת, כָּךְ תִּהְיֶה לְכַפָּרָה לַעֲוֹנֹתַי, וְאָז אֶהְיֶה כְּאִלּוּ נוֹלַדְתִּי מֵחָדָשׁ נְקִיָּה מֵחֵטְא וְעָווֹן, וְאוּכַל לְקַיֵּם מִצְווֹת שַׁבָּת קוֹדֶשׁ וְהַיָּמִים הַטּוֹבִים עִם בַּעְלִי וִילָדֵינוּ, לִהְיוֹת נִזּוֹנִים מִקְּדֻשַּׁת הַיָּמִים הָאֵלֶּה.
וּמֵהַשְׁפָּעָתָהּ שֶׁל מִצְוַת חַלָּה יִהְיוּ יְלָדֵינוּ נִזּוֹנִים תָּמִיד מִיָּדָיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בְּרוֹב רַחֲמָיו וַחֲסָדָיו וּבְרֹב אַהֲבָה. וְשֶׁתִּתְקַבֵּל מִצְוַת חַלָּה כְּאִלּוּ נְתַתִּיהָ לַכֹּהֵן.
וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁאֲנִי מְקַיֶּמֶת מִצְוַת חַלָּה בְּכָל לֵב, כָּךְ יִתְעוֹרְרוּ רַחֲמָיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְשָׁמְרֵנִי מִצַּעַר וּמִמַּכְאוֹבִים כָּל הַיָּמִים. אָמֵן.

Short Prayers for Specific Needs
[שם] Many women add short prayers for people who need help. You can put any name where it says .
For Healing:
יְהִי רָצוֹן... שֶׁבִּזְכוּת מִצְוַת הַפְרָשַׁת חַלָּה זוֹ, תִּזְכֶּה [שם בן/בת שם האם] לִרְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר חוֹלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. אָמֵן.
For Children
...תִּזְכֶּה [שם] לְזֶרַע חַיָּא וְקַיָּמָא. אָמֵן.
For Finding a Match:
...תִּזְכֶּה [שם] לְזִיווּג הָגוּן בְּקָרוֹב. אָמֵן.
For Parnassah (Money/Work)
...תִּשְׁלַח בְּרָכָה וְהַצְלָחָה בְּכָל מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֵינוּ. אָמֵן.

The Hafrashat Challah Bracha: Complete Blessing Text and Meaning

The hafrashat challah bracha is said when you prepare a dough using enough flour. (There are different opinions about exact amounts—see the flour section below.) Different groups say the bracha a bit differently.

Some Add “Min Ha’Isah” (From the Dough)

Some groups add the words “min ha’isah.” The Mishnah Berurah says not to add these words unless it is your family’s custom.

Hebrew:…וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַפְרִישׁ חַלָּה מִן הָעִיסָה

How to Say It:…v’tzivanu l’hafrish challah min ha’isah.

What It Means: “…and told us to separate challah from the dough.”

Why Are There Different Versions?

The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 328:1) talks about this. The Mechaber (Rabbi Yosef Karo) follows Sephardic practice. He says to add “terumah” because the Torah calls it that (Bamidbar 15:19-20). The Rema follows Ashkenazi practice. He says just “l’hafrish challah.” The Rambam (Hilchos Bikkurim 5:11) also uses just “challah.”

Both are correct. Follow your family’s custom.

Yehi Ratzon Prayers for Hafrashat Challah: Before and After Separation

The Yehi Ratzon prayers make this mitzvah even more powerful. These prayers have been passed down for many years. They are in women’s prayer books (called techinot) and in many siddurim.

Prayer Before Separating Challah

This prayer connects hafrashat challah to the start of the world. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 17:8) teaches that Adam was called “challato shel olam”—”the challah of the world.” Just as we form dough from flour and water, Hashem formed Adam from the dust of the earth. When Chavah (Eve) gave Adam the fruit, she hurt this “dough.” Women help fix this through separating challah.

The prayer also asks for the same blessing that was in the dough of our Mothers. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 60:16) says that Sarah Imeinu merited three constant miracles in her tent: the Shabbos candles remained lit from Friday to Friday, there was always blessing found in her dough, and a cloud of Divine presence rested over her tent. When Sarah died, all three miracles stopped. When Rivka came to Sarah’s tent, all three miracles returned. In this prayer, we ask Hashem to bless our dough, just as he did for our Matriarchs so long ago.

Prayer After Separating Challah

The Yehi Ratzon prayer contains several powerful themes. Here is what each part teaches us:

• Born Anew: In this tefillah, we ask Hashem that it should be as if we’re born anew, clean from sin. This is like the cleansing of Yom Kippur! Hafrashat challah gives us a weekly chance to start fresh.
• Like a Sacrifice: We ask that our challah be counted like a sacrifice on the Temple altar. We cannot do it the Temple way today. But we ask Hashem to count it as if we did.
• Blessing for Children: We ask that “our children always be fed by Hashem’s hands.” This mitzvah is tied to prayers for children—their health, their learning, and their needs.
• Protection from Pain: We ask Hashem to guard us “from pain all my days.” The Mishnah (Shabbos 2:6) teaches that doing challah well guards the home.

The Spiritual Power of Hafrashat Challah: Why This Mitzvah Brings Blessing

The Talmud (Shabbos 32b ) teaches a strong lesson. Rabbi Elazar says: “When challah is not done, there is no blessing in what you store. Prices go up. You plant seeds but others eat the crops.”

The Talmud ties this to a verse in Vayikra (26:16). It reads the word “behalah” (בהלה, fear) as if it said “be-challah” (בחלה, because of challah). Not doing challah hurts your parnassah (money and work).

But the good news is even better! Yechezkel (44:30) promises: “Give the first of your dough to the Kohen (priest), to bring blessing to your house.” The Talmud says clearly: “If they give [the challah], they are blessed.”

The Chofetz Chaim (in Likutei Halachos on Sotah 21a) wrote about women baking challah. He taught that challah brings blessing to the home. Many great rabbis say that parnassah grows when a woman does this mitzvah with care.

Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky, of blessed memory, encouraged women seeking salvation to perform hafrashat challah together. She taught that women should gather in groups of forty to bake, answer Amen to one another’s brachos, and pray collectively. This meaningful practice has since spread around the world and is often undertaken as a special merit—for healing, for those awaiting a shidduch, and for other heartfelt needs.

Add Merit to Your Prayers with Tzedakah

When you give charity at this holy moment, you add power to your prayers. Rabbi Meir Baal Haness promised to speak to Hashem for anyone who gives tzedakah in his memory. For over 200 years, Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities has helped Torah families, widows, orphans, and the poor in Eretz Yisroel.

Why Hafrashat Challah Is a Woman’s Mitzvah

The Mishnah (Shabbos 2:6) lists three mitzvos tied to women: challah, niddah (family purity), and hadlakas neiros (candle lighting).

Why these three? The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 17:8) asks: “Why was challah given to women?” The answer: “Because Chavah hurt Adam, who was the challah of the world.” Just as Hashem formed Adam from earth (like dough from flour), Chavah hurt this “dough” with the forbidden fruit. Women fix this through separating challah.

The Hebrew letters of Challah (ח), Niddah (נ), and Hadlakas HaNer (ה) spell “Chanah” (חנה). This reminds us of Chanah’s famous prayer for a child (Shmuel I, Chapter 1). The Talmud (Berachos 31b) teaches many lessons from her prayer.

Although hafrashat challah is primarily a woman’s mitzvah, men are also obligated to perform it. When a woman is present and able, she has priority to do the mitzvah. However, a man living alone, or whose wife cannot do it, does it himself.

Jewish women have other special spiritual times as well, including Rosh Chodesh, the new moon celebration that has been connected to women since the days of the Golden Calf.

Biblical and Talmudic Origins of Hafrashat Challah

The Torah tells us to do hafrashat challah in Parshas Shelach (Bamidbar 15:17-21). Hashem tells Moshe: “When you come to the Land… you shall set aside a portion for Hashem. The first of your dough, challah, you shall set aside..throughout your generations.”

The placement of this mitzvah in the Torah is very special. It comes right after the sin of the spies. The people were told they would die in the desert. The Sforno (on Bamidbar 15:20) says Hashem gave challah as comfort. He writes: “After the sin of the spies [G-d] also required challah, so that blessing may rest upon your homes.”

Rashi (on Bamidbar 15:18) points out that the mitzvah of challah was obligatory immediately upon entering the Land of Israel. He notes that the Torah uses the expression “b’voachem” (upon your coming), rather than the usual “ki savo’u” (when you will come), which indicates a delayed obligation. Other agricultural mitzvos tied to the Land—like tithes and terumah from produce—waited 14 years until the Land was conquered and divided among the tribes. But challah applied from the very first moment the Jews entered Eretz Yisroel.

Why was challah different? Tithes and terumah apply to produce that grows in the Land of Israel—so these mitzvos could only begin once the Land was settled and cultivated. Challah, however, applies to dough that is made in the Land of Israel, regardless of where the grain was grown. The moment the Jews baked bread in Eretz Yisroel, they were obligated. This immediate application teaches us the special importance of this mitzvah.

Today, observing the mitzvah of challah outside of Israel is a Rabbinical Mitzvah (d’Rabbanan- added by the Sages). The Sefer HaChinuch says the Sages made this rule “so that the mitzvah not be forgotten.” Even in Israel today, the full Torah-level obligation (Mitzvah d’Oraisa) of challah—which requires the majority of the Jewish people to be living in Eretz Yisroel—will not return until the times of Mashiach. Still, we keep this mitzvah on a Rabbinic level, looking forward to that day.

How Much Flour for Hafrashat Challah? Amounts and Guidelines

There are different opinions about the exact minimum amount of flour that requires one to separate challah from the dough. The Torah says to use an “asiris ha’eifah” (one-tenth of an eifah). This equals the size of 43.2 eggs (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 324:1). But rabbis differ on how big an “egg” was in Talmudic times.

Here are the common rules:

Guide to Flour Amounts for Hafrashat Challah

Flour Amount	What to Do
Below 2.65 lbs (1.2 kg)	No separation needed
2.65 lbs up to 5 lbs (1.2 kg up to 2.27 kg)	Separate challah WITHOUT bracha
5 lbs (2.27 kg) and above	Separate challah WITH bracha

These follow common Ashkenazi practice (Rav Moshe Feinstein, Rav Henkin). Other rabbis have different amounts. Some Sephardic poskim allow the bracha at lower amounts. Ask your rabbi.

Why Are There Two Levels for Required Flour Amounts?

The reason for these two thresholds relates to a longstanding halachic debate about the size of a “beitzah” (egg), the unit of measurement used in the Talmud. Rav Chaim Naeh (active posek during the first half of twentieth century) used the Rambam’s numbers and calculated a lower amount. The Chazon Ish maintained that eggs have become smaller since Talmudic times, and therefore calculated a higher threshold. Most Ashkenazi rabbis follow the stricter view—you need 5 lbs of flour in order to require reciting a bracha.

Note: There are additional halachic considerations regarding flour types, dough consistency, whether batches can be combined, and whether the dough will be used all at once. If you have specific questions about your situation, consult a rabbi. In case of doubt, a rabbi may advise you to separate challah without a bracha.

How to Do Hafrashat Challah: Step-by-Step Guide

Before You Start:

Use at least 2.65 lbs of flour from one of the five grains. Make your dough—mix, knead, and let it rise. Put all the dough together in one bowl. If you made several batches, put them together.

Many women wash their hands and give tzedakah before starting.

The Steps:

1. Say the Yehi Ratzon before separation (you don’t have to, but it’s good). This sets your heart for the mitzvah.
2. Grasp a small piece of dough (about one ounce, the size of an olive) in your right hand. Don’t pull it off yet.
3. Say the bracha if using 5+ lbs of flour. If using between 2.65 and 5 lbs, skip the bracha.
4. Separate the piece by pulling it off. Some people lift it a bit upward.
5. Say “Harei zo challah” (“This is challah”). This is important—it makes the piece officially holy.
6. Say the Yehi Ratzon after separation. Put your heart into each word.
7. Add your own prayers for yourself, your family, and anyone who needs help.
8. Set aside the piece to burn or throw away with respect (see below).

If You Made a Mistake:

If you forgot the bracha before separating, the separation still works. You just missed the blessing.

If you forgot to separate before shaping, you can still do it from the shaped dough.

If you only remembered after baking, you can still separate challah from the baked bread. Place the baked goods in a container or dish that can hold the entire batch, and drape a cloth over the sides, then separate a piece and say “Harei zo challah.” Do not eat any of the bread until you have done this.

What to Do with the Challah After Hafrashat Challah

In Temple times, this piece went to the Kohanim (priests) to eat. Today, no one can reach that purity. So the separated challah must be thrown away, not eaten.

Burning: Wrap the piece in foil and burn it until it is completely charred. Many communities today collect the separated challah pieces and burn them collectively at the shul or through a community organization, since the hafrasha has kedusha (holiness). Check if your shul offers this service.

No one may eat this piece—not people, not animals.

Hafrashat Challah If You Forgot Before Shabbos

What if Shabbos is about to start and you didn’t separate challah? The answer depends on where you are.

Forgot Before Shabbos?

Where You Are	What to Do
In Eretz Yisrael	The bread is “tevel” (not allowed). Do NOT eat until after Shabbos. Then separate challah.
Outside Eretz Yisrael	You may eat on Shabbos. Set aside a piece and separate after Shabbos ends.

Why the Difference?

In the Diaspora (outside of Eretz Yisroel), the obligation to separate challah is Rabbinic in origin (d’Rabbanan). They allowed a fix in case one forgot to be mafrish (separate dough) before Shabbos: set aside a piece, say it will become challah after Shabbos, and then eat on Shabbos. After Shabbos, you do the mitzvah.

In Eretz Yisroel, where the mitzvah carries greater halachic weight, the bread remains “tevel” (forbidden to eat) until challah is properly separated after Shabbos.

The best plan: always separate challah right after the dough rises, before the Shabbos rush!

Hafrashat Challah and Tzedakah: Doubling Your Merit

The Sages teach that tzedakah has the power to make our mitzvos and tefillos more pleasing before Hashem. When we give charity alongside our mitzvah, we demonstrate that our actions come from a pure heart—one that cares not only for our own spiritual growth but also for the needs of others. This selflessness makes our hafrashat challah more desirable in Heaven and more likely to be accepted with favor.

For over 200 years, Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities has helped Torah scholars, widows, orphans, and poor families in Eretz Yisroel. Founded in 1799, we still do this holy work today.

Rabbi Meir Baal Haness promised to speak to Hashem for anyone who gives charity in his memory. The Talmud tells how Rabbi Meir called out “Eloka d’Meir aneini” (“G-d of Meir, answer me!”) to bring about miracles. For hundreds of years, Jews have used this phrase when giving charity in his merit.

When you put hafrashat challah and tzedakah together, you make powerful merit. Just as you give the first of your dough to Hashem, your charity helps others. The poor of Israel get help, and Yechezkel’s promise comes true: “to bring blessing to your house.”

Support Families in Eretz Yisroel

Give tzedakah in the merit of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness. Your gift helps Torah scholars, widows, orphans, and needy families in the Holy Land.

FAQ

The Blessing of Hafrashat Challah: A Weekly Renewal

The mitzvah of hafrashat challah gives Jewish women a weekly chance for spiritual renewal. The hafrashat challah bracha and Yehi Ratzon prayers turn simple baking into a meeting with Hashem. The promise—to be “born anew, clean from sin”—means each week brings a fresh start.

As you do this mitzvah at home, think about adding tzedakah. Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities helps needy families in Eretz Yisroel put challah on their own Shabbos tables.

In the merit of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness, may you be blessed with bracha and hatzlochah. May hafrashat challah bring blessing to your home, nachas from your children, health, parnassah, and peace. And may we soon do this mitzvah in full, giving challah to the Kohanim (priests) in the rebuilt Beis HaMikdash, speedily in our days. Amen.