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How should I dispose of the <i>challah</i> that I separated?<br>
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OU Kosher Halacha Yomis <br>
<a name="Anchor"></a>This column is dedicated in memory of:<br>
Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l<br>
Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016) <br><br>
Q. How should I dispose of the <i>challah</i> that I separated? <br><br>
A. In the days of the <i>Beis Hamikdash</i>, <i>challah</i> was given to
a Kohen who was required to eat it when he was <i>tahor</i> (ritually
clean). Since today our <i>challah</i> is <i>tamei</i> (ritually
unclean), it is not eaten by the Kohen. Instead, we have a mitzvah to
burn it. Because<i> challah </i>may not be eaten, it is like all other
non-kosher foods, and should not be placed directly on kosher pans or on
the oven surface. If the oven is empty or is being used to bake dry items
(such as bread), one may place the <i>challah</i> dough on a separate
piece of aluminum foil. If there are foods in the oven that contain
liquid, or that are oily, such as meat and poultry, one should wrap the
<i>challah</i> dough in aluminum foil. Preferably it should be wrapped in
a double layer of foil to prevent tears. The <i>challah </i>should be
left in the oven until it is thoroughly burnt. One should flatten the
dough as much as possible, so that it will burn more easily.<br><br>
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