Challah (tractate)

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Challah (Hebrew: חלה) is the ninth tractate of Seder Zeraim ("Order of Seeds") of the Mishnah and the Talmud. This tractate primarily deals with the laws of separating a portion of dough, known as challah, which is given to the priests (Kohanim) in the Temple.

Overview

The tractate of Challah consists of four chapters and is part of the Mishnah, the first major written collection of the Jewish oral law known as the Oral Torah. The laws discussed in this tractate are derived from the commandment in the Torah found in Numbers 15:17-21, which instructs the Israelites to set aside a portion of their dough for the priests.

Contents

The tractate is divided into four chapters, each addressing different aspects of the laws of challah:

Chapter 1

This chapter discusses the types of dough that are subject to the obligation of separating challah, the minimum quantity of dough that requires separation, and the types of grains that are included.

Chapter 2

The second chapter deals with the procedure for separating challah, including the blessings recited, the amount to be separated, and the status of the separated portion.

Chapter 3

This chapter addresses the status of challah in different circumstances, such as dough made by non-Jews, dough that becomes impure, and the handling of challah in the Diaspora.

Chapter 4

The final chapter discusses the consumption of challah by the priests, the prohibition against non-priests eating challah, and the consequences of violating these laws.

Significance

The laws of challah are significant in Jewish tradition as they represent the connection between the agricultural produce of the land of Israel and the service in the Temple. The separation of challah is a reminder of the Temple and the role of the priests in Jewish religious life.

Related Tractates

• Terumot (tractate)
• Ma'aserot (tractate)
• Bikkurim (tractate)

See Also

• Mishnah
• Talmud
• Kohen
• Temple in Jerusalem
• Seder Zeraim