Challah Separation Blessing in Hebrew, English Translation & Transliteration
The mitzvah of Hafrashat Challah (Separation of Challah) is one of the most cherished traditions in Jewish life. Before baking bread from a qualifying amount of dough, many Jewish women (and men when applicable) fulfill this special mitzvah by separating a small piece of dough, reciting the appropriate blessing, and saying a short declaration.
Below you'll find the Hebrew blessings, English translations, and English transliterations, making it easy for everyone to participate with confidence.
Sephardic Blessing (Hebrew)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַפְרִישׁ חַלָּה תְּרוּמָה.
English Translation
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to separate Challah as Terumah.
English Transliteration
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha'olam, Asher Kid'shanu B'mitzvotav, V'tzivanu L'hafrish Challah Terumah.
Ashkenazi Blessing (Hebrew)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַפְרִישׁ חַלָּה.
Some Ashkenazi communities recite:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַפְרִישׁ חַלָּה מִן הָעִיסָה.
English Translation
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to separate Challah.
Alternative version:
"...and commanded us to separate Challah from the dough."
English Transliteration
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha'olam, Asher Kid'shanu B'mitzvotav, V'tzivanu L'hafrish Challah.
Alternative:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha'olam, Asher Kid'shanu B'mitzvotav, V'tzivanu L'hafrish Challah Min Ha'isah.
After Separating the Dough
Take a small piece of dough, lift it, and say:
Hebrew
הֲרֵי זוֹ חַלָּה
English Translation
This is hereby Challah.
English Transliteration
Harei Zo Challah.
Prayer After Separating Challah
Hebrew
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ וֵאלֹקֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁהַמִּצְוָה שֶׁל הַפְרָשַׁת חַלָּה תֵּחָשֵׁב כְּאִלּוּ קִיְּמַתִּיהָ בְּכָל פְּרָטֶיהָ וְדִקְדּוּקֶיהָ, וְתֵּחָשֵׁב הֲרָמַת הַחַלָּה שֶׁאָנוּ מְרִימִים כְּמוֹ הַקָּרְבָּן שֶׁהוּקְרַב עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ שֶׁהִתְקַבֵּל בְּרָצוֹן. וּכְמוֹ שֶׁלְּפָנִים הָיְתָה הַחַלָּה נְתוּנָה לַכֹּהֵן וְהָיְתָה זוֹ לְכַפָּרַת עֲוֹנוֹת, כָּךְ תִּהְיֶה לְכַפָּרַת עֲוֹנוֹתַי, וְאָז אֶהְיֶה כְּאִלּוּ נוֹלַדְתִּי מֵחָדָשׁ נְקִיָּה מֵחֵטְא וְעָוֹן, וְאוּכַל לְקַיֵּם מִצְווֹת שַׁבַּת קֹדֶשׁ וְהַיָּמִים הַטּוֹבִים עִם בַּעְלִי, לִהְיוֹת נִיזּוֹנִים מִקְּדֻשַּׁת הַיָּמִים הָאֵלֶּה וּמֵהַשְׁפָּעָתָהּ שֶׁל מִצְוַת חַלָּה כְּאִלּוּ נָתַתִּי מַעֲשֵׂר. וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁהִנְנִי מְקַיֶּמֶת מִצְוַת חַלָּה בְּכָל הַלֵּב, כָּךְ יִתְעוֹרְרוּ רַחֲמָיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְשׁוֹמְרֵנִי מִצַּעַר וּמִמַּכְאוֹבִים כָּל הַיָּמִים. אָמֵן.
English Translation
**May it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our ancestors, that the mitzvah of separating Challah be considered as though I have fulfilled it in every detail and according to all its laws. May the Challah that I separate be regarded like the offering that was brought upon the Holy Altar and accepted with favor.
Just as, in earlier times, the Challah was given to the Kohen and served as an atonement for sins, so too may this mitzvah bring atonement for my shortcomings. May I be considered as though I have been born anew, cleansed from sin and transgression, and may I merit to observe the holiness of Shabbat and the Festivals together with my husband, drawing spiritual nourishment from their sanctity and from the merit of the mitzvah of Challah, as though I had also given the tithes.
And just as I fulfill the mitzvah of Hafrashat Challah with all my heart, may the Holy One, Blessed be He, awaken His mercy to protect me from sorrow, suffering, and pain throughout all my days.
Amen.**
English Transliteration
**Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu V'Elohei Avoteinu, Shehamitzvah Shel Hafrashat Challah Techashev K'ilu Kiyamtihah B'chol Pratehah V'dikdukehah. V'techashev Haramat HaChallah She'anu Merimim K'mo HaKorban Shehukrav Al HaMizbe'ach Shehitkabel B'Ratzon.
U'kmo Shelefanim Hayetah HaChallah Netunah LaKohen V'hayetah Zo L'chaparat Avonot, Kach Tihiyeh L'chaparat Avonotai. V'az Eheyeh K'ilu Noladeti Mechadash Nekiyah MeChet V'Avon, V'uchal L'kayem Mitzvot Shabbat Kodesh V'HaYamim HaTovim Im Ba'ali, Lihyot Nizonim Mikdushat HaYamim HaEleh U'meHashpa'atah Shel Mitzvat Challah K'ilu Natati Ma'aser.
U'kshem Shehineni Mekayemet Mitzvat Challah B'chol HaLev, Kach Yit'oreru Rachamav Shel HaKadosh Baruch Hu L'Shomreni MiTza'ar U'Mimach'ovim Kol HaYamim.
Amen.**
Many have the custom to recite a heartfelt prayer after performing the mitzvah, asking Hashem to accept the mitzvah with favor, bring forgiveness, blessing, protection, good health, peace in the home, abundant livelihood, and spiritual merit for themselves and their families.
This beautiful custom transforms the moment into an opportunity for personal prayer and connection with Hashem.
A Timeless Jewish Mitzvah
The mitzvah of Hafrashat Challah has been observed for generations and continues to inspire Jewish homes around the world. Whether you follow the Sephardic or Ashkenazi tradition, taking a moment to recite the blessing with intention brings holiness into the kitchen and connects everyday life with timeless Jewish tradition.
If you're looking for a beautifully designed Hafrashat Challah booklet, we currently offer an elegant Hebrew edition featuring the blessings and prayers in a clear, easy-to-read layout. It makes a meaningful gift for weddings, bridal showers, housewarmings, mothers, daughters, or anyone who treasures this timeless Jewish mitzvah.
