Within Your Reach

Though everyone is familiar with the twisted egg "challah" loaves that are a traditional part of the Shabbos meal, the word actually refers to the small portion of dough that was given to the kohen (member of the priestly class) in the days of the Temple in Jerusalem. "Challah" is one of the gifts that the Torah prescribes be given to sustain the kohanim, so they can dedicate their lives to the service of God. Since today there is no Temple and the status of kohanim are in doubt, separating challah is rabbinic and the portion is burned. This is another mitzvah that is reserved for Jewish woman and for which they are especially praised. Anyone (even men) making any type of dough (not just bread) that consists of approx. 5 pounds of flour or more makes the appropriate blessing and separates a small portion of the raw dough and completely burned.

"The first of your kneading you shall set aside as a portion... to Hashem." - Numbers 15:20

The nourishment that food gives the body has a parallel nourishment that sustains the soul. "Man does not live by bread alone, but rather by what comes forth from God's mouth does man live" (Deut. 8:3). The Torah is telling us that while bread alone may sustain the body, the word of God, concealed within the physical properties of the bread, sustains one's soul. Separating challah initiates this process of spiritual nurture. - Rebbetzin Tzipporah Heller

There are many mitzvos in the Torah which transforms the mundane and physical act of eating (which all living creatures do) into a spiritually uplifting act which elevates the human being from his or her earthly origins. Eating kosher and reciting the proper blessings on the foods we eat partner with the mitzvah of separating challah in this process.