Hafrashas Challah - Differing Doughs (Cont'd)

QUESTION: Which varieties of grain are considered one species? For example, I have a batch of dough made from spelt flour and another made from rye flour. Can I take challah from the spelt and exempt the rye?

ANSWER: The Mishnah (Kilayim 1:1) writes that planting wheat and zunim (a variety of wheat) together does not constitute kilayim. Barley and oats are not considered kilayim and may be planted together, and spelt and rye, as well, are not considered kilayim and may be planted together. Regarding hafrashas challah, the rule is that whatever is not considered kilayim is considered to be of the same species (Shulchan Aruch YD 324:2). Therefore, since spelt and rye are considered to be one species, one may take challah from a batch of spelt dough to exempt a batch of rye. Similarly, one may take challah from a batch of barley to exempt a batch of oats. All that is necessary is that the two batches of dough be placed next to each other. They should not be placed in separate containers.

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