Ritual hand washing. Required before or after certain actions, e.g before eating bread, after waking up, etc.
5
votes
1answer
103 views
Why do the Leviim wash the hands of the Kohanim when they go up to bless the people?
When the Kohanim washed their hands and feet in the Beis HaMikdosh they did not have anyone to help.
Why then do the Kohanim need others to wash their hands when they go up to bless the people?
Why ...
4
votes
3answers
195 views
What's the deal with all the washings?
Sometimes we wash with a cup, sometimes not; sometimes we wash twice, sometimes thrice; and not everyone agrees on method or pattern in all cases. Who says which ways we are supposed to wash, in ...
18
votes
6answers
2k views
Washing hands for eating pizza
How many slices are required to make you responsible to wash on Pizza?
6
votes
2answers
194 views
Why when washing for bread do we splash twice?
Is there any particular reason the procedure for washing hands for bread includes pouring the water twice on each hand? Isn't once enough?
5
votes
1answer
308 views
If I wake up before dawn, do I wash my hands with a blessing?
If one wakes up in the middle of the night or at least before dawn, does he wash and make al netilat yadayim? Also, at what point can one say birkot hashachar? I'd like to wake up extra early to do ...
10
votes
2answers
189 views
Forgot to wash but said hamotzi
If I inadvertantly forget to wash and said the bracha hamotzi, and have just broken the bread, but not eaten yet, what should I do next?
9
votes
3answers
241 views
What is the source of netilat yadayim before eating bread?
Where do we learn that we need to wash hands before eating bread? Why? And why bread and not other food?
7
votes
1answer
129 views
When I wake up before Alot Hshachar and won't go back to sleep, what can/can't I do?
If I wake up early in the morning, like any time from 2am to 6am, before Alot Hashachar, and I'm pretty sure I'll start my day and not go back to sleep, at least not before a possible afternoon nap, ...
8
votes
2answers
189 views
Does one need dry hands before washing?
I've always noticed people that make sure their hands are perfectly dry before washing (i.e. washing for eating bread). Why do people do so? Where does this apparent stringency come from?
7
votes
1answer
191 views
Should you greet a non-jew after washing netilat yadayim?
If you wash netilat yadayim and then a non-Jew says "hello" to you, should you:
say "hello" back and wash again?
try to acknowledge him without actually talking?
or ignore him (doesn't seem right)?
...
7
votes
2answers
152 views
Remove rings to wash?
Do I need to remove my wedding-band, which I wear every day, to wash for Hamotze or morning Negel vasser? What about other rings?
7
votes
2answers
148 views
Is Mayim Achronim required before Al Hamichya?
As the title asks: is it required or recommended before Al Hamichya (or for that matter, borei nefashos as well).
And if yes or no, why or why not?
7
votes
4answers
311 views
Can I wash and say “please pass the salt”?
After washing one's hands before eating bread, one is not supposed to talk until he has made Hamotzi and partook of the bread.
I understand that general chatter is not allowed. But what about for ...
6
votes
1answer
163 views
Washing Kohen's Hands
Following kedusha during mussaf on a day when there is birchas kohanim (duchening), the Leviyim and Kohanim assemble at the sink and a Levi washes each Kohen's hands.
What procedure of hand-washing ...
6
votes
2answers
571 views
Washing Hands post Funeral
What is the proper way to wash after a Funeral or a visit to the Cemetery?
5
votes
0answers
122 views
Can you fulfill Netilat Yadayim by dipping your hands in a sink?
According to the Gemara in Hullin on 107a, if there's a vessel with a hole in it, and there's a "stream" (more than a drip but not necessarily the "sheffoferet hannod" required for a real mikveh) ...
5
votes
2answers
128 views
Wash without saying a bracha and it's not pesach?
Inspired by this SMS Shut
Bread without Water Q: I am stuck in a place without water. How can I
eat bread? A: In extreme circumstances, one my wrap both hands with
plastic bags, or gloves, in ...
5
votes
2answers
132 views
What is a source that allows one to treat one's house as all within four amos?
I am after a source that allows one to treat one's house as all within four amos l'chatchila, with respect to nagel vasser (hand washing in the morning).
3
votes
1answer
68 views
Can a Kohain do Birchas Kohanim if he did not wash his hands?
Suppose a Kohain for some reoson forgot to wash his hands or was unable to, can he still do Birchas Kohanim?
2
votes
2answers
93 views
Source for washing by your bed
What is the source in the Halachic literature outside of the Mishnah Berurah who says it is a requirement to place a washing cup by your bed instead of going to the sink to wash your hands upon ...
2
votes
1answer
240 views
Does one make Birkas Hatorah/Hashachar before alos hashachar?
As per this question, it seems apparent that one doesn't make the morning blessings until at least alos hashachar.
However, in Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum's book "The Sweetest Hour: Tikkun Chatzot," on ...
2
votes
1answer
139 views
Urchatz - does everyone wash?
I have heard different Minhagim regarding washing at Urchatz. It seems that in some families everyone washes and in others only the Baal HaBayis. Does anyone have sources as to the different Minhagim ...
