Proper Challah
Question
What should I do with the separated dough from making challah after offering it in prayer? It doesn't sit well to toss it out. I was thinking maybe making a smaller braided challah and offering it to the homeless, but I don't know. Im not Jewish, my wife's mother was, and my wife has never made challah. I remember my grandmother making bread similar to challah but she was from Finland, state religion being Lutheran. I wanted to do it proper. So here I am. Any advice would be most appreciated.
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
We believe that the mitzvot of the Torah, such as separating the Challa dough, were given to the Jewish people to observe. We don’t believe that there is any benefit for non-Jews to observe them.
That being said, when a Jew bakes bread, a portion of dough must be separated, and it is known as the "Challa." The Challa can be wrapped up and burned (there are specific ways on how to do so le'halcha) or wrapped and placed in the trash. Some people have the custom that if doing so it should be less than a kezayit ( like the size of a small machbox).
It need not be a large piece of dough. It may not be used or consumed by anyone.
We believe that all that G-d wants from the Non-Jewish world is that they observe 7 precepts, or commandments. They are known as the “Noahide Laws.” They are called “Noahide Laws” because the requirement to observe these seven laws was given Noah, a righteous non-Jew (yes, the fellow from the story with the flood).
The 7 laws are:
1. Don’t murder.
2. Don’t steal.
3. Don’t worship false gods.
4. Don’t be sexually immoral.
5. Don’t eat a limb from an animal that is still alive.
6. Don’t curse God.
7. Establish a system of justice.
Any human being who observes these laws goes to heaven. There is no need to follow any other religion. You can pray to God in your own words and your own language.
Allow me to recommend the following sites to learn more about what G-d expects from Gentiles: https://sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com/ and https://www.netivonline.org/ which specializes in helping non-Jews with religious beliefs. There is a wealth of information there that you will find useful and inspiring. It is also worth looking up the “Noahide” or "B'nai Noach" movement and consider joining them!