Why does the Torah insert the Mitzvah of Chalah specifically here?
Ramban: Because, like the Mitzvah of Nesachim which precedes it, it did not apply in the desert. 1
Seforno: Hashem introduced the Mitzvah of Chalah after the sin of the spies, because it was needed to bring B'rachah into the house. 2
What are the implications of the word "Reishis Arisoseichem"?
Rashi: It implies that one must give Chalah from the first dough that one kneads before one eats it.
Yerushalmi Chalah, 3:1: It implies that the obligation to separate Chalah takes effect from the beginning of the kneading, as soon as one has added water to the flour.
What are the ramifications of the suffix "Arisoseichem"?
Rashi: It teaches us that the size dough that is Chayav Chalah is equivalent to the amount of Manna that each person received daily in the desert 1 - one tenth of an Eifah 2 - forty-three and a fifth egg-volumes. 3
Bartenura (in Chalah 1:8), It teaches us that it is only a dough that is made for human consumption - even if only in part - that is Chayav Chalah, but not a dough that is made for animals exclusively. 4
Pesachim, 38a: It incorporates Ma'aser Sheini - according to the Rabbanan of R. Meir, who consider Ma'aser Sheini the property of the owner, in the Din of Chalah.
Chulin, 135b: It incorporates a dough belonging to partners in the Din of Chalah. 5
Menachos, 7a: It precludes the dough of a Nochri and of Hekdesh from the Din of Chalah. 6
Rashi (in Seifer ha'Pardes): Because we learn "Lechem ha'Aretz" from "Lechem Shamayim".
Rashi: As recorded in Sh'mos 16:16.
Eruvin, 83b: This is also equivalent to seven Lugin plus one and a fifth egg-volumes. See Torah Temimah, note 43, who elaborates at length.
See Torah Temimah, note 41.
See Torah Temimah, note 46.
See Torah Temimah, note 45.
What are the implications of the word "Chalah"?
Why does the Torah juxtapose ?Tarimu Serumah? to the word "Chalah"?
Yerushalmi Chalah, 1:5: To teach us that Chalah is subject to Terumah. 1
Similarly, the Yerushalmi in Chalah, 1:5 in Pasuk 21 - based on the fact that Terumah is called 'Reishis' - learns from "me'Reishis ... Tarimu Terumah" that Terumah is subject to Chalah. See Torah Temimah, note 49.
What are the ramifications of the comparison of Chalah ("ki'Serumas Goren") to Terumah Gedolah?
Rashbam (citing Shabbos, 15a): Just as Terumah is the first of the grain (Devarim 18:4), so too, is Chalah the first of the doughs.
Me'ilah, 15b: It teaches us that Chalah falls under the heading of Terumah. Consequently, it combines with Terumah, T'rumas Ma'aser, T'rumas Ma'aser shel D'mai and Bikurim 3 - all of which are called Terumah - to render a Zar who eats the mixture Chayav to pay a fifth. 4
Sifri: It teaches us that, like Terumah Gedolah, 5 one only separates Chalah when the kneading has reached completion - when it is possible to cut pieces from the dough.
Sifri: Even one in a thousand. Rashi: As opposed to T'rumas Ma'aser, which has a Shi'ur of one tenth.
Rashi: The Chachamim however, gave a Shi'ur - one twenty-fourth for one who bakes for his family, and one forty-eighth for a professional baker. See Targum Yonasan and Na'ar Yonasan.
See Torah Temimah, citing Me'ilah Ibid.
See also Torah Temimah, note 48.
See Torah Temimah, note 51.
What is the word "Kein Tarimu Osah" coming to preclude?
Sifri: It precludes all other species from the Din of Chalah.
Why does the Torah 'tax' bread with an additional tax, contrary to the world in general, which tends to relieve the staple diet from taxes (See Oznayim la'Torah)?
