The mitzvot of Shlach

The first mitzvah of the parsha

385. The commandment of challah

Numbers 15:20

The root of the mitzvah

Human life depends on food, and most of the world lives on bread, so God wished to give us a constant mitzvah in our bread, so that blessing would rest on it and we would gain merit for our souls through it. In this way the dough becomes food for the body and food for the soul. Also, so that the kohanim, who are always occupied in God's service, would receive their portion ready, without the toil of sifting and grinding.