In the previous Halacha we have explained that when one kneads a dough of a certain size, one must separate a small piece of dough from it after reciting the appropriate blessing and the proclaiming “This is Challah” upon the separated piece. The small piece of dough must then be burned or respectfully discarded.
The Amount Necessary for Challah
The Mishnah in Masechet Eduyot states that the Sages maintained that Challah must be separated from a dough that contained the measure of a Kav and a half or more. This was a common measurement in the times of the Mishnah.
The Correct Amount Nowadays
In order to convert the above measurement into our terms, we must first preface this discussion with an introduction:
In the times of the Sages of the Mishnah and Talmud, all of there measurements were relative to fruits, vegetables, and eggs that were common in their times. The sizes of an average person’s thumb and pinky fingers were also used to calculate measurements.
Since measuring in such a way is quite complex, the Rishonim began to break down the measurements based on weight and mass measurements common in their times. One of the most common forms of weight measurement in the times of the Sephardic Sages was by using a coin called the “Dirham,” a coin that was in circulation in all Muslim kingdoms for over one-thousand years. This coin was made of silver and had a consistent weight.
The Rambam (Hilchot Bikkurim, 6:16) writes that the size of dough necessary to separate Challah is when it contains a volume of 43.2 eggs of flour and in weight, this would translate to 520 Dirham. Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch (OC Ch. 556, YD Ch. 324) rules likewise.
How Much Does the Dirham Weigh?
Based on scientific measurements made during the past twenty years or so under the supervision of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l, each Dirham coin weighed approximately three grams. Thus, the amount of flour necessary for separating Challah according to the Rambam and Maran is 1,560 grams (or 3.44 lbs.). This amount of flour or more will necessitate separating Challah and reciting a blessing.
The Opinion of Hagaon Ben Ish Hai
Hagaon Rabbeinu Yosef Haim zt”l discusses this Halacha twice in his Sefer Ben Ish Hai. In Parashat Tzav, he writes that the amount necessary to be obligated in Challah is 777 Dirham because this is the weight of flour relative to the weight of 43.2 eggs. This translates to approximately 2,330 grams (a bit more than 5 lbs.) of flour and only with that amount can one separate Challah with a blessing.
Maran zt”l questions his opinion based on the Rambam’s commentary on Masechet Eduyot where he explains that the amount of flour for Challah is measured differently than eggs since eggs are much heavier than flour. Thus, the flour must be measured by volume, not weight. We cannot delve into the matter at great length but suffice it to say that this matter remained a disagreement for quite a long time.
Nevertheless, it seems that even the Ben Ish Hai did not mean to deviate from the amount for Challah prescribed by the Rambam, for he explicitly quotes the opinion of Rabbeinu Chaim Palagi in his Sefer Chaim La’Rosh, and there, Rav Palagi explicitly uses the Rambam’s measurement. In his commentary on the Ben Ish Hai entitled Ateret Yaakov, Hagaon Harav Yaakov Ovadia Shlit”a (a contemporary Torah scholar, son of Hagaon Harav Matzliach Ovadia zt”l, member of the Sephardic Badatz Eidah Ha’Charedit of Jerusalem) explains that even the Ben Ish Hai agrees with the Rambam that the requisite amount for Challah is 1,560 grams, in line with the ancient custom in Israel, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey, as quoted by the Poskim. When he writes that there must be 777 Dirham of flour, he means that if one wishes to measure the flour using volume as opposed to weight, one must use a vessel that contains a volume of 777 Dirham of water. This reconciles the opinion of the Ben Ish Hai with that of the great Poskim that preceded him.
The Incident
When Maran zt”l was a young man, he would give classes to the public from the Sefer Ben Ish Hai. When they reached the laws of Challah, Maran zt”l told the audience that they should not follow what was written in the Ben Ish Hai; rather, Challah must be separated from 1,560 grams of flour or more. Many rabbis opposed him claiming that although his position was difficult to understand, the ruling of the Ben Ish Hai must be followed, for there is nothing they knew that he did not.
In all honesty, however, this was not a halachically valid claim, for since Maran zt”l had strong question on the Ben Ish Hai’s position in addition to many Poskim that supported his own, he was absolutely entitled to rule in accordance with his own view for the masses. This is especially true since there is room to reconcile the Ben Ish Hai’s opinion with the Rambam, as we have explained, although the generations of scholars immediately following him did not necessarily understand him that way. Thus, the Halacha is clear that Challah must be separated from a dough that contains 1,560 grams of flour or more.
Once, during the time that this halachic argument emerged, there was someone who became very embroiled in it and insolently pelted Maran zt”l with a vegetable as he walked by on the street. Years later, this man’s son was killed in a terrible terrorist attack exactly on the same spot where he threw the vegetable at Maran. Everyone understood that this was a Heavenly sign that Hashem demands and upholds the honor of His servants.
Summary: One must separate Challah from a dough consisting of 1,560 grams (3.4 lbs.) of flour or more with a blessing.
