By Rabbi Hillel Raskin
Do separate batches of hamantashen combine to necessitate hafrashas challa?
The mitzva of separating challah applies to dough from flour of the five grains amounting to the shiur of a tenth of an eifah, with a final product resembling bread.
To separate challa with a bracha, one should ensure that at least some of the liquid is water, or that any of the seven halachic “liquids” make up the majority of the dough’s liquid.
Baked pastries that get a bread-like consistency are obligated in challa if enough flour is used (with regular white flour – at least 2 lb. 11 oz. to separate without a bracha)
If the dough is loose before baking, challa should be separated after baking. If one is preparing two batches of hamantashen or rugelach and each dough is less than the shiur but collectively add up to the shiur, they can combine and become obligated under these conditions:
- You don’t care if the doughs get mixed, and
- the doughs are in one utensil (and covered on top if it rises above the utensil’s airspace).
Likewise, if the baked pastries are stored together in one bag or container, the smaller batches that were originally exempt can combine to create a chiyuv of hafrasha.
Certain circumstances will prevent the batches from combining: (1) If they are made from different types of grain, (2) if people are careful that they not mix so they don’t taint each other, and according to some (3) even if they have different tastes or forms.
If the pastries remain in separate packages or were combined in a closet connected to the wall (and, hence, to the ground), it is doubtful if they become one. Separating challah from one doubtful batch on another can run the risk of separating from an exempt batch for one that is obligated.
Instead, one should be mafrish a tiny amount from each type on its own without a bracha. One should also avoid combining batches of similar pastries together (e.g. many hamentashen), as it might create a complete chiyuv.
Reprinted from the Parshat Pekudei 5784 edition of The Weekly Farbrengen. Rabbi Raskin is Rov of Anash in Petach Tikva, Israel.
