Cohn, Jacob. The Royal Table - VWC: Faculty/Staff Web

CHAPTER VIII.
AGRICULTURAL PROHIBITIONS:
CHALLAH (THE DOUGH PORTION)
After we have given the priestly gift, the levitical tithe,
and the gifts to the poor, we can proceed to mill our gram
into flour. But as soon as we mix our flour with water
and knead it into dough the Torah has a new demand
upon us the dough portion, called challah. The basis for
the practice of this gift is found in the Book of Numbers:
"When you come into the land whither I bring you, then
it shall be that when ye eat of the bread of the land ye
shall set apart a portion for a gift unto the Lord. Of the
first of your dough ye shall set apart a piece as a gift; as
that which is set apart from the threshing floor (terumah)
so shall ye set it apart. Of the first of your dough shall
ye give a portion unto the Lord for a gift, throughout your*
generations." 1
The separation of challah is considered one of the duties
and privileges of a Jewish wife. But the privilege brings
with it a grave responsibility. "Because of three transgressions
women die in childbirth," says a well known Mish-
nah; "because they are negligent in the observance of the
periods of menstrual uncleanliness, in the separation of the
dough portion, and in the lighting of the Sabbath candles." 2
It is much to be regretted that in the wild chaos which
characterizes modern Jewish life things have come to such
a pass that even many women wholeheartedly desirous of
1 Numbers XV 18-21.
* Mishnah Sabbath n, 6.
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