Tell me more ×
Mi Yodeya is a question and answer site for those who base their lives on Jewish law and tradition and anyone interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 4 down vote favorite

Are you supposed to say the bracha al netilas yadayim after doing negel vasser after waking up or going to the bathroom?

share|improve this question

1 Answer

up vote 1 down vote

You are supposed to say the Berachah upon washing your hands in the morning. (Shulchan Aruch O"C 4:1)

It seems from the Shulchan Aruch (O"C 7:1-2) that you do not need to make a Berachah even if you find that you need to wash your hands after using the bathroom, because you are only required to wash then for cleanliness - in fact, you may not need to wash at all, depending on the condition of your hands afterwards. The GR"A (ibid., S"K 2) explains that this is because the sages enacted the law of washing upon rising because we are like a new creation, as well as before eating (although he doesn't explain this last point), but not for any other purpose.

However, I have heard that, according to some, you are supposed to say the Berachah after using the bathroom, depending on what you were doing in the bathroom. I am still looking for a source for this idea.

share|improve this answer
IIRC the gra is referencing a teshuvat harashba where he says the bracha is on waking up like a new being. This opinion argues on nearly all other rishonim (see for example rambam) that you need to make one when you wash for davening (all three prayers). So the beit yosef ruled safek brachot lehakel and only to make one in the morning, but it would have to be on the one for davening as well which would mean post bathroom. – Double AA♦ Oct 5 '12 at 14:42

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.