So what's the deal with hafrashas challah groups? Here is the FAQ
1. Can I be part of multiple groups? For every full batch of dough that you make, you can be part of a group. So if you are making one batch, you can be in one group, two batches, two groups. So on and so forth.
2. Am I only allowed to pray for the person who's name I committed for in a group? No. You can pray for as many people or causes as you wish but you cannot be considered as 'one' in any additional groups as discussed above.
3. Can a group say more than one name? According to Rabbi Banon, a Dayan in the Montreal Vaad, it is best to have just one name per group. If however, it is crucial to add a second name, then the group is considered complete only if every single one of the 43 ladies said both names without exception. This is sometimes difficult to achieve and that is why it is recommended to keep it 'one group, one cause'.
4. Can you add a name to a group once the group has already been started? No. For the reason above. If the ladies who already baked had just one name in mind and then you add another name, then the group is not complete according to the rule above.
5. How much flour is considered a complete batch? A complete batch is one that permits you to 'take challah' AND make a Bracha. Please see image for more details.
6. What days of the week do we have to bake, in order to be allowed to join a group? According to Rabbi Banon, the day of the week has no importance. As long as the 43 ladies do their hafrasha in the same week, they can be counted.
7. Why 43 ladies? There is something in the port of numbers. 43 is the numerical equivalence to the Hebrew letters 'ches', 'lamed', and 'hey' which spell out the Hebrew word 'challah'.
And that's the 'shpeez of the day'!
