Mishneh Torah — First Fruits & Priestly Gifts הלכות ביכורים ושאר מתנות כהונה שבגבולין, Chapter 6
The full Hebrew text of Mishneh Torah, First Fruits & Priestly Gifts, Chapter 6, with English translation by Maimonides (Rambam).
הַלוֹקֵחַ מִן הַנַּחְתּוֹם חַיָּב בְּחַלָּה. וּמַפְרִישׁ מִן הַחַמָּה עַל הַצּוֹנֶנֶת וּמִן הַצּוֹנֶנֶת עַל הַחַמָּה אֲפִלּוּ מִדְּפוּסִין הַרְבֵּה:
One who purchases bread from a baker is obligated [to separate] challah. himself. Moreover, because of the severity of the prohibition of challah, the common people were not considered suspect to refrain from making this separation.The Radbaz explains that we are speaking about an instance where the baker told the purchaser to separate challah, alternatively, an instance where the baker is suspect not to separate challah. The Kessef Mishneh explains that the responsibility for the baker to separate challah applies only when the challah is ritually pure. Since it will be eaten by the priest, it is appropriate that the baker separate it. When, by contrast, it is impure and must be burnt, it should be separated by the purchaser. He may separate a portion from bread freshly taken from the oven for bread that has cooled or from bread that has cooled for bread freshly taken from the oven. [This applies] even with regard to many trays of bread., translated as "trays," literally means "molds." In the Talmudic era, bread was baked in various molds so that the loaves would be shaped differently. In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Demai 1:3), the Rambam explains that there was an opinion which forbade separating challah from one tray for another lest the flour used to bake the different breads was from different years.
אֵין חַיָּבִין בְּחַלָּה אֶלָּא חֲמִשָּׁה מִינֵי תְּבוּאָה בִּלְבַד וְהֵם הַחִטִּין וְהַשְּׂעוֹרִים וְהַכֻּסְּמִין וְשִׁבּלֶת שׁוּעָל וְהַשִּׁיפוֹן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר טו יט) "בַּאֲכָלְכֶם מִלֶּחֶם הָאָרֶץ". וְאֵין קָרוּי לֶחֶם אֶלָּא פַּת הַנַּעֲשֵׂית מֵאֵלּוּ אֲבָל הָעוֹשֶׂה פַּת אֹרֶז אוֹ דֹּחַן וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן מִן הַקִּטְנִיּוֹת אֵינָן חַיָּבִין בְּחַלָּה כְּלָל:
The obligation [to separate] challah applies only to [dough from] the five species of grain: wheat barley, rye, oats, and spelt, as [implied by Numbers 15:19]: "When you partake of the bread of the land." The term "bread" refers only to a loaf made from these five species. 1:1) derives this concept because there is an association between challah and matzah. Matzah may only be made from these five species, for they are the only species that can become leaven. Hence, it is these five to which the mitzvah of challah applies. See Halachah 11 which discusses the laws that apply when a dough is made using one of these grains and other species. If, however, one makes bread from rice, millet, or other legumes, there is no obligation of challah at all.
הַלֶּקֶט וְהַשִּׁכְחָה וְהַפֵּאָה וְהַהֶפְקֵר וּתְבוּאָה שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיאָה שְׁלִישׁ אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֵן פְּטוּרִין מִן הַתְּרוּמָה חַיָּבִין עָלֶיהָ בְּחַלָּה. וְכֵן מַעֲשֵׂר רִאשׁוֹן שֶׁהִקְדִּימוֹ בַּשִּׁבֳּלִים שֶׁנִּטְּלָה תְּרוּמָתוֹ אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ חֵלֶק תְּרוּמָה גְּדוֹלָה וּמַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי וְהֶקְדֵּשׁ שֶׁנִּפְדּוּ וּמוֹתַר הָעֹמֶר וּשְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם וְלֶחֶם הַפָּנִים כְּשֶׁיִּפָּדוּ כָּל אוֹתָן הַמּוֹתָרוֹת הַכּל חַיָּבִין בְּחַלָּה:
Although there is no obligation to separate terumah from leket, shichachah, pe'ah, grain which is ownerless, and grain which did not reach a third of its growth, 2:3-5. Nevertheless, since a dough made from such grain will become leaven, there is an obligation to separate challah [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Bikkurim 1:4)]. there is an obligation to separate challah from these. Similarly, there is an obligation to separate challah [from dough made from grain in the following circumstances]: the tithes were separated from the grain early while it was still stalks3:13, Hilchot Ma'aser 3:19. and terumat ma'aser was separated from it, even though the portion of the great terumah is still included in it,, there is no obligation to separate terumah from such grain. And since there is no obligation to separate terumah, one might think that one is also exempt from the obligation to separate challah [grain that was from] the second tithe or consecrated property that was redeemed, the extra [portions of barley harvested for] the omer offering, 7:11-12, three se'ah of barley would be harvested for the omer offering. That barley was then made into flour, sifted and refined until only an isaron (a far smaller measure) was selected for the omer offering. The remainder of the barley was redeemed and could be used for mundane purposes. the two loaves [prepared to be offered on Shavuot], and [the loaves prepared for] the showbread which were redeemed.).
עִסָּה שֶׁל מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם וְעִסַּת שְׁבִיעִית וּסְפֵק מְדֻמָּע חַיָּבִין בְּחַלָּה. אֲבָל הַמְדֻמָּע פָּטוּר מִן הַחַלָּה:
When a dough was made from grain from the second tithe in Jerusalem must be separated from the dough (Radbaz). or from grain from the Sabbatical year,. or when there is a doubt whether the dough was made from a mixture of terumah and ordinary produce, and ordinary produce which is exempt as stated in the following clause, there is also a possibility that this is only ordinary produce in which instance, an obligation does apply. there is an obligation to separate challah. A mixture of terumah and ordinary produce is exempt from the obligation of challah. is of Rabbinic origin. In that instance, the prohibition of a mixture of terumah offsets the obligation to separate challah, for they are both Rabbinic safeguards. If, however, the obligation to separate challah is Scriptural in origin, it would take precedence.
חַלּוֹת תּוֹדָה וּרְקִיקֵי נָזִיר עֲשָׂאָן לְעַצְמוֹ פְּטוּרִין מִן הַחַלָּה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵן קֹדֶשׁ. לְמָכְרָן בַּשּׁוּק לִנְזִירִים וּלְמַקְרִיבֵי תּוֹדָה חַיָּבִין בְּחַלָּה. לְפִי שֶׁבְּדַעְתּוֹ שֶׁאִם לֹא תִּמָּכֵר יֹאכְלֶנָּה:
The loaves for the thanksgiving offering and the wafers for the nazirite offering 9:12-24 for a description of these loaves. which a person made for himself are exempt from the obligation of challah, for they are sanctified. need only be separated from a person's private property, not from consecrated property (Menachot 67a). [If they were made] to sell in the market place to nazirites and to those bringing thanksgiving offerings, there is an obligation to separate challah, since [the baker] has the intent that if they are not sold [for sacrificial purposes], he will eat them.
עִסַּת הַשֻּׁתָּפִין וְהָעוֹשֶׂה עִסָּה לְרַבִּים חַיֶּבֶת בְּחַלָּה:
There is an obligation to separate challah from a dough made for partners (Siftei Cohen 326:1). and a dough made for many people., as stated in Chapter 8, Halachah 6.
הָעוֹשֶׂה עִסָּה מִן הַטֶּבֶל. בֵּין שֶׁהִקְדִּים חַלָּה לִתְרוּמָה בֵּין שֶׁהִקְדִּים תְּרוּמָה לְחַלָּה מַה שֶּׁעָשָׂה עָשׂוּי. וְאִם הִפְרִישׁ הַחַלָּה תְּחִלָּה לֹא תֵּאָכֵל עַד שֶׁיּוֹצִיא עָלֶיהָ תְּרוּמָה וּתְרוּמַת מַעֲשֵׂר. וְאִם הִפְרִישׁ תְּחִלָּה תְּרוּמָה לֹא תֵּאָכֵל עַד שֶׁיּוֹצִיא עָלֶיהָ חַלָּה:
When a person makes dough using grain that is tevel - whether the challah is separated before terumah or the terumah separated before challah - what he did is effective. before the dough was made, after the fact, his separation is effective If he separated the challah first, he should not partake of it until he separates terumah and terumat ma'aser for it. If he separated terumah first, he should not partake of it until he separates challah.
הָעוֹשֶׂה עִסָּה לְהַאֲכִיל הַפַּת שֶׁלָּהּ לִבְהֵמָה אוֹ לְחַיָּה פְּטוּרָה. עִסַּת הַכְּלָבִים בִּזְמַן שֶׁהָרוֹעִים אוֹכְלִין מִמֶּנָּה חַיֶּבֶת בְּחַלָּה. עִסַּת הָעַכּוּ"ם פְּטוּרָה:
When a person makes a dough with the intent of feeding the bread baked from it to a domesticated animal or a wild animal, it is exempt from challah. There is an obligation to separate challah from a dough made for dogs 1:8)]. which is eaten by the shepherds. must be separated from the entire dough, even from the portion intended for the dogs. A dough made by a gentile is exempt from challah. 67a derives this from the fact that Numbers 15:20, the prooftext for the obligation of challah, speaks of "the first of your dough," i.e., the dough of a Jew and not of a gentile.
הָיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַכּוּ"ם שֻׁתָּפִין בָּעִסָּה אִם הָיָה בְּחֵלֶק יִשְׂרָאֵל שִׁעוּר עִסָּה הַחַיֶּבֶת בְּחַלָּה הֲרֵי זוֹ חַיֶּבֶת בְּחַלָּה:
If a gentile and a Jew were partners in a dough and the portion owned by the Jew was large enough to be liable for challah, it is liable for challah. from the entire dough, even from the gentile's portion.
עַכּוּ"ם שֶׁהִפְרִישׁ חַלָּה אֲפִלּוּ בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵינָהּ חַלָּה. אֶלָּא מוֹדִיעִין אוֹתוֹ שֶׁאֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ וְתֵאָכֵל לְזָר. וְלָמָּה לֹא חָשַׁשְׁנוּ לָהּ שֶׁמָּא עִסָּה שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל הִיא וְתָלָה אוֹתָהּ בְּיַד עַכּוּ"ם וּכְדֵי לְפָטְרָהּ. שֶׁאִם יִרְצֶה יִשְׂרָאֵל יִפְטֹר עַצְמוֹ וְיַעֲשֶׂה יִשְׂרָאֵל עִסָּתוֹ פָּחוֹת מִשִּׁעוּר חַלָּה:
When a gentile separates challah even in Eretz Yisrael, it is not challah. Instead, we inform him that he does not have to [observe this mitzvah. The dough separated] may be eaten by a non-priest.Why do we not suspect that maybe the dough belonged to a Jew and he gave it to a gentile so that it will be exempt? from it. The Radbaz states that although generally we do not suspect that a prohibition is being violated, there is room to do so in this instance, because otherwise, why would the gentile think of separating challah. Because if a Jew wanted to exempt himself he could do so by making his dough smaller than the required measure.
הַמְעָרֵב קֶמַח חִטִּין וְקֶמַח אֹרֶז וְעָשָׂה מֵהֶן עִסָּה אִם יֵשׁ בָּהּ טַעַם דָּגָן חַיֶּבֶת בְּחַלָּה וְאִם לָאו פְּטוּרָה. אֲפִלּוּ הָיָה הַשְּׂאוֹר חִטִּים לְתוֹךְ עִסַּת אֹרֶז. אִם יֵשׁ בָּהּ טַעַם דָּגָן חַיֶּבֶת בְּחַלָּה וְאִם לָאו פְּטוּרָה:
[The following laws apply when a person] mixes flour from wheat and rice flour 324:9 states this law applies to rice and not to other species, because rice takes on the flavor of wheat. and makes a dough: If it has the flavor of grain, challah must be separated from it. explain that the Rambam does not make such a distinction. The difference of opinion between them centers on the interpretation of the Jerusalem Talmud (Challah 3:5). The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 324:9) quotes the Rambam's wording without any further qualification. There is a similar disagreement between the Rambam and the Ra'avad with regard to matzah made from wheat and rice. See Hilchot Chametz UMatzah 6:5. If not, it is exempt. Even if one placed yeast from wheat had not been separated. The Radbaz, however, states that it is possible that the Rambam does not accept that conclusion. In this instance as well, the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 324:10) quotes the Rambam's ruling without further qualification. into a dough from rice, one is obligated to separate challah from it if it has the flavor of wheat. If it does not have that flavor, it is exempt.
עִסָּה שֶׁנִּלּוֹשָׁה בְּיַיִן אוֹ שֶׁמֶן אוֹ דְּבַשׁ אוֹ מַיִם רוֹתְחִים אוֹ שֶׁנָּתַן לְתוֹכָהּ תַּבְלִין אוֹ הִרְתִּיחַ הַמַּיִם וְהִשְׁלִיךְ הַקֶּמַח לְתוֹכוֹ וְלָשׁוֹ. אִם אֲפָאָהּ בֵּין בְּתַנּוּר בֵּין בְּקַרְקַע בֵּין עַל הַמַּחֲבַת וְהַמַּרְחֶשֶׁת. בֵּין שֶׁהִדְבִּיק אֶת הַבָּצֵק בְּמַחֲבַת וּבְמַרְחֶשֶׁת וְאַחַר כָּךְ הִרְתִּיחָן בָּאֵשׁ מִלְּמַטָּה עַד שֶׁנֶּאֱפֵית הַפַּת. בֵּין שֶׁהִרְתִּיחָהּ וְאַחַר כָּךְ הִדְבִּיק הַבָּצֵק. כָּל אֵלּוּ חַיָּבִין בְּחַלָּה. אֲבָל הָעוֹשֶׂה עִסָּה לְיַבְּשָׁהּ בַּחַמָּה בִּלְבַד אוֹ לְבַשְּׁלָהּ בִּקְדֵרָה הֲרֵי הִיא פְּטוּרָה מִן הַחַלָּה שֶׁאֵין מַעֲשֵׂה חַמָּה לֶחֶם בֵּין שֶׁלָּשָׁהּ בְּמַיִם בֵּין שֶׁלָּשָׁהּ בִּשְׁאָר מַשְׁקִין. וְכֵן קָלִי שֶׁלָּשִׁין אוֹתוֹ בְּמַיִם אוֹ בִּדְבַשׁ וְאוֹכְלִין אוֹתוֹ בְּלֹא אֲפִיָּה פָּטוּר שֶׁאֵין חַיֶּבֶת אֶלָּא עִסָּה שֶׁסּוֹפָהּ לְהֵאָפוֹת לֶחֶם לְמַאֲכַל אָדָם:
There is an obligation to separate challah in all [the following instances]: a dough that was kneaded with wine, oil, or honey, (Yoreh De'ah 329:9)]. or with boiling water, or one in which spices where placed, water was boiled and flour was placed inside of it and a dough was kneaded. [And challah must be separated when] dough was baked whether in an oven or [in a pit] in the earth, 329:8). whether in a frying pan or a deep pan, whether first one attached the dough to the frying pan or the deep pan and then heated them with fire from below until the loaf was baked or one heated them first and then attached the dough.If, however, one made a dough to dry it in the sun alone or to cook it in a pot, it is exempt from challah, for [dough cooked] in the sun is not bread whether it was kneaded with water or other liquids. Similarly, roasted grain that was kneaded whether with water or honey and which is eaten without being baked is exempt, for the obligation of challah applies only to a dough that will ultimately be baked as bread for human consumption.
עִסָּה שֶׁלָּשָׁהּ תְּחִלָּה לַעֲשׂוֹתָהּ מַעֲשֵׂה חַמָּה וְהִשְׁלִימָהּ לַעֲשׂוֹתָהּ פַּת. אוֹ שֶׁהִתְחִיל בָּהּ לֶאֱפוֹת פַּת וְהִשְׁלִימָהּ לַעֲשׂוֹת מַעֲשֵׂה חַמָּה. וְכֵן קָלִי שֶׁלָּשׁוֹ לֶאֱפוֹתוֹ פַּת חַיָּבִין בְּחַלָּה:
When a dough was first kneaded to make a dough to be cooked in the sun and then the person completed making it for a loaf of bread, or he began making it to bake bread and completed it to cook it in the sun and similarly, when roasted flour was kneaded to bake a loaf of bread, there is an obligation to separate challah. must be separated.
לֶחֶם הֶעָשׂוּי לְכוּתָח מַעֲשֶׂיהָ מוֹכִיחִין עָלֶיהָ. עֲשָׂאָהּ כְּעָכִין חַיֶּבֶת בְּחַלָּה. עֲשָׂאָהּ כְּלִמּוּדִין פְּטוּרָה מִן הַחַלָּה:
When bread was baked to be used for kutach, the manner in which it is made indicates the intent. If it was made as cakes, there is an obligation to separate challah. If he made it in strips, it is exempt from challah..
כַּמָּה שִׁעוּר הָעִסָּה שֶׁחַיֶּבֶת בְּחַלָּה. מְלֹא הָעֹמֶר קֶמַח בֵּין מֵאֶחָד מֵחֲמִשָּׁה מִינִים בֵּין מֵחֲמִשְׁתָּן כֻּלָּם מִצְטָרְפִין לְשִׁעוּר. וְכַמָּה הוּא שִׁעוּר הָעֹמֶר שְׁנֵי קַבִּין פָּחוֹת חֹמֶשׁ. וְהַקַּב אַרְבָּעָה לוֹגִין. וְהַלּוֹג אַרְבַּע רְבִיעִיּוֹת וְהָרְבִיעִית אֶצְבָּעַיִם עַל אֶצְבָּעַיִם בְּרוּם אֶצְבָּעַיִם וַחֲצִי אֶצְבַּע וְחֹמֶשׁ אֶצְבַּע. וְכָל הָאֶצְבָּעוֹת הֵם רֹחַב גוּדָל אֶצְבָּעוֹת שֶׁל יָד. נִמְצֵאתָ לָמֵד שֶׁהַמִּדָּה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ עֶשֶׂר אֶצְבָּעוֹת עַל עֶשֶׂר אֶצְבָּעוֹת בְּרוּם שָׁלֹשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹת וּתְשִׁעַ אֶצְבַּע בְּקֵרוּב הוּא הָעֹמֶר. וְכֵן מִדָּה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ שֶׁבַע אֶצְבָּעוֹת פָּחוֹת שְׁנֵי תְּשִׁיעֵי אֶצְבַּע עַל שֶׁבַע אֶצְבָּעוֹת פָּחוֹת שְׁנֵי תְּשִׁיעֵי אֶצְבַּע בְּרוּם שֶׁבַע אֶצְבָּעוֹת פָּחוֹת שְׁנֵי תְּשִׁיעֵי אֶצְבַּע הִיא מִדַּת הָעֹמֶר. וּשְׁתֵּי הַמִּדּוֹת כְּאֶחָד הֵם עוֹלִים. וְכַמָּה מְכִילָה מִדָּה זוֹ כְּמוֹ אַרְבָּעִים וְשָׁלֹשׁ בֵּיצִים בֵּינוֹנִיּוֹת וְחֹמֶשׁ בֵּיצָה וְהֵם מִשְׁקַל שִׁשָּׁה וּשְׁמוֹנִים סְלָעִים וּשְׁנֵי שְׁלִישֵׁי סֶלַע מִקֶּמַח הַחִטִּים שֶׁבְּמִצְרַיִם. שֶׁהֵם מִשְׁקַל חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת וְעֶשְׂרִים זוּז מִזּוּזֵי מִצְרַיִם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה. וּמִדָּה שֶׁמְּכִילָה כַּמִּשְׁקָל הַזֶּה מִקֶּמַח הַחִטִּים הַזֶּה בָּהּ מוֹדְדִין לְחַלָּה בְּכָל מָקוֹם:
What is the minimum measure of dough from which we are obligated to separate challah? An entire omer of flour,." As Exodus 16:16 relates the amount of manna allotted to each individual in the desert was an omer. Hence we use that as the size of the required measure of dough (Eruvin 83b). whether from one of the five species or from all five together, for they are all combined to reach the minimum measure.What is the measure of an omer? One fifth [of a kab] less than two kabbin. A kab is four lugim and a log is four revi'iot. is approximately 86cc according to Shiurei Torah and approximately 150 cc according to Chazon Ish. Thus a log is 344 or 600 cc, a kab 1376 or 2400 cc, and the measure of the dough from which challah must be separated is 2500 (because the above figures are approximations) or 4320 cc. A revi'it is the volume of a cube two fingerbreadths by two fingerbreadths by a height of two and seven tenths fingerbreadths. A fingerbreadth refers to the width of a thumb.Thus an omer is a measure that is ten fingerbreadths by ten fingerbreadths by a height of approximately 3 and one ninth fingerbreadths. Similarly, a cube with each side six and seven ninths fingerbreadths produces a measure of an omer.How much does this measure contain? The volume of 43 and 1/5 eggs. This is equivalent to the weight of 86 2/3 selaim of Egyptian wheat flour. writes that a blessing should be recited when separating challah from a dough made from 3 pounds and 10 ¾ ounces of flour and one should be stringent and separate challah from a dough made from 2 pounds and 10.1 ounces of flour. This is equivalent to 520 zuz of Egyptian zuzim at present. A measure that comprises such a weight of wheat is used universally to measure for the separation of challah.
אָסוּר לְאָדָם לַעֲשׂוֹת עִסָּתוֹ פָּחוֹת פָּחוֹת מִכַּשִּׁעוּר כְּדֵי לְפָטְרָהּ מִן הַחַלָּה. וְהַמַּפְרִישׁ חַלָּה מֵעִסָּה שֶׁהִיא פְּחוּתָה מִכַּשִּׁעוּר לֹא עָשָׂה כְּלוּם וַהֲרֵי הִיא חֻלִּין כְּשֶׁהָיְתָה. עָשָׂה עִסָּה פְּחוּתָה מִכַּשִּׁעוּר וַאֲפָאָהּ וְנָתַן הַפַּת לַסַּל. וְחָזַר וְאָפָה פַּת אַחֶרֶת וְנָתַן לַסַּל אִם נִתְקַבֵּץ בַּסַּל שִׁעוּר חַלָּה הַסַּל מְצָרְפָן לְחַלָּה וּמַפְרֵשׁ הַחַלָּה מִן הַפַּת. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר טו יט) "וְהָיָה בַּאֲכָלְכֶם מִלֶּחֶם הָאָרֶץ" מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהוּא מַפְרִישׁ מִן הָאָפוּי. וְאֵין הַתַּנּוּר מְצָרְפָן לְחַלָּה:
It is forbidden for a person to make his dough less than the minimum measure in order to free it from the obligation of challah. 2:3). The Turei Zahav 324:17 and the Siftei Cohen 324:25 emphasize that this applies only when the person's intent in making the loaf small is that he will not have to separate challah. If he has another intent, his actions are not sanctioned. When a person separates challah from a dough that is smaller than the prescribed measure, his actions are of no consequence and the dough is ordinary dough as before.When a person made a dough that is less than the prescribed measure, baked it, and put the loaf in a basket, baked another loaf and put it in the basket, and [continued doing this] until a measure from which challah [must be separated] was collected in the basket, the basket joins them together [as a single entity, establishing an obligation for] challah. with which many are familiar - the separation of challah from matzah - employs this principle. He must separate challah from the bread. This is derived [from the prooftext mentioned above]: "When you partake of the bread of the land." [The verse] teaches that one should separate [challah] from [bread] that is baked. An oven, [however,] does not join loaves together [to create an obligation to separate] challah..
הָיוּ הַכִּכָּרוֹת נוֹשְׁכוֹת זוֹ בְּזוֹ וְנִתְקַבֵּץ מִן הַכּל שִׁעוּר חַלָּה חַיָּבִין בְּחַלָּה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵינָן בַּסַּל. אָפָה מְעַט מְעַט וְקִבֵּץ הַכּל עַל לוּחַ שֶׁאֵין לוֹ תּוֹךְ הֲרֵי זֶה סָפֵק. וְאִם חַלָּה שֶׁל דִּבְרֵיהֶם הִיא אֵינוֹ חַיָּב לְהַפְרִישׁ עַד שֶׁיְּצָרֵף אוֹתוֹ כְּלִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ תּוֹךְ:
If [small] loaves were joined together and a quantity equal to the measure of challah was gathered together, there is an obligation to separate challah.. [This applies] even if they are not placed in a basket [together]. If one baked loaves a little bit at a time and gathered together the entire quantity on a board that does not have a cavity, there is a doubt regarding [the matter]. 48b mentions an unresolved difference of opinion concerning this question among the Sages. If [the obligation to separate] challah is of Rabbinic origin, separated in the present era, as stated Chapter 5, Halachah 5. one is not obligated to separate it until they are gathered in a container with a cavity.).The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 325:1) writes that if one places the bread on a board and then covers it with a cloth, there is an authority who requires the separation of challah. The Siftei Cohen 325:5 questions why the Shulchan Aruch uses the expression "there is an authority...," in as much as this principle is universally accepted.
קֶמַח שֶׁלֹּא רִקְּדּוֹ אֶלָּא לָשׁוֹ בַּסֻּבִּין שֶׁלּוֹ. הוֹאִיל וְיֵשׁ בְּכָל הַקֶּמַח עֹמֶר חַיָּב בְּחַלָּה. אֲבָל אִם נָטַל הַמֻּרְסָן מִן הַקֶּמַח וְחָזַר וְהִשְׁלִים שִׁעוּר הָעִסָּה בַּמֻּרְסָן שֶׁהֶחֱזִירוֹ לַקֶּמַח אֵינוֹ חַיָּב בְּחַלָּה:
When flour was not sifted, but instead kneaded together with its bran, since the entire measure of the flour to be separated. comprises an omer, there is an obligation [to separate] challah. 76b). If, however, one removed the bran from the flour and then completed the [required] measure of dough by returning the bran to the flour, there is no obligation to separate challah. 2:6) explains that this is derived from Numbers 15:21 that speaks of "your dough," i.e., the way dough is ordinarily made.
נַחְתּוֹם שֶׁעָשָׂה עִסָּה לַעֲשׂוֹתָהּ שְׂאוֹר לְחַלְּקָהּ חַיֶּבֶת בְּחַלָּה. שֶׁאִם לֹא תִּמָּכֵר יַעֲשֶׂנָּה פַּת. אֲבָל הָעוֹשֶׂה עִסָּה לְחַלְּקָהּ בָּצֵק פְּטוּרָה:
When a baker makes a dough to become yeast and divide it up, there is an obligation [to separate] challah, for if it is not sold, he will use it as bread. If, however, one makes a dough to divide it while dough,. it is exempt.
נָשִׁים שֶׁנָּתְנוּ קֶמַח לְנַחְתּוֹם לַעֲשׂוֹת לָהֶם שְׂאוֹר. אִם אֵין בְּשֶׁל אַחַת מֵהֶן כַּשִּׁעוּר אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בִּכְלָלָן כַּשִּׁעוּר פְּטוּרָה:
[The following law applies when] women give flour to a baker to make yeast. If none of them individually [gave enough flour to make a dough] that comprises the required measure - even though [the dough made from the flour which] they all [gave] does - it is exempt. had the intent been to bake the dough. Moreover, the Rama (Yoreh De'ah 326:3) rules that if the women consent to having their flour mixed in a larger dough, an obligation to separate challah is created.The Ra'avad maintains that if one woman makes dough to use as yeast, the law mentioned with regard to a baker in the previous halachah applies to her and she is required to separate challah. Here the leniency is granted because several women are involved. The Radbaz and the Kessef Mishneh argue against the Ra'avad's conclusion and the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 326:2) states that the stringency applies to a baker and not to an ordinary person.