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When washing your hands for Netilat Yadayim, how much water do you need?

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  • One and a half average eggs' volume.
    – Double AA
    Oct 7, 2013 at 19:06
  • Thanks but how does that equivalent to ounces?
    – yossi
    Oct 7, 2013 at 19:35
  • eretzhemdah.org/… Oct 7, 2013 at 21:00
  • @yossi You don't have any eggs around? Why do you need ounces?
    – Double AA
    May 7, 2014 at 20:57

1 Answer 1

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Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 4:6, says there's no minimum amount of water needed for washing before shacharis (or, by implication, before mincha or maariv or on arising).

SA, OC 160:13 ff., says you must have a r'viis of water to wash hands before a meal. The conversion rate of r'viiyos to milliliters (or fluid ounces) is a matter of dispute, but 90 milliliters or 3 fluid ounces is probably sufficient[1] if you have no reason (like your community's practice) to demand more. Please consult your rabbi for such reasons and, in general, for practical guidance, rather than relying on what you read on this site.

Of course, the water must also be sufficient in amount to wash the surface it's washing.


[1] Safek d'rabanan l'kula.

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  • 1
    Careful. You don't need to use the whole reviit, even though you must start with it.
    – Double AA
    Oct 8, 2013 at 5:11
  • @DoubleAA, quite right. Thanks. Edited to clarify.
    – msh210
    Oct 8, 2013 at 5:13
  • I think it could still be clearer about how much water is required per hand (or if both are together) and how much is required to have originally been in the cup.
    – Double AA
    Oct 8, 2013 at 5:27
  • @DoubleAA, it's always a r'viis, isn't it? (E.g. MB :67.) You wash your hands sequentially, you need a r'viis. You wash them together, you need a r'viis. Am I missing something? And if I'm not, then isn't that what my answer says?
    – msh210
    Oct 8, 2013 at 5:31
  • @msh210 See for example MB :76. IIUC the cup must have a reviit, but if I use less than that to wash the whole area (twice in this case), then it works.
    – Double AA
    Oct 8, 2013 at 14:34

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