Ritual hand washing. Required before or after certain actions, e.g before eating bread, after waking up, etc.
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
119 views
Why is a utensil required when washing one's hands after bathroom use?
I am under the impression that one is required to wash one's hands with a utensil (typically, the same type of cup used to wash before bread) after using the bathroom.
Firstly, what is the source of ...
10
votes
3answers
244 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?
3
votes
2answers
97 views
What is Ruach Rah
Right in the beginning of Shulchan Aruch we see this idea of "Ruach Rah". In regards to washing ones hands and all that comes before that -- not walking more than 4 amos without washing one's hands, ...
2
votes
2answers
117 views
Washing in Less than Ideal Circumstances
We all know that in a perfect world, one would have a sink with a nice big washing cup for Netilas Yadayim. However, what does one do when, for example, one does not have a cup? What if one does not ...
2
votes
0answers
72 views
Water from the Kohanim washing their hands by nei'lah
I heard about a minhag the other day (for the first time) and was wondering if there is any makor for it. I was told that people ran out to "catch" the water that was used to wash the Kohanim's hands ...
4
votes
1answer
158 views
What if you forgot to wash?
What should you do if you suddenly realize that you forgot to wash, either upon waking or before eating bread? I assume you should wash at your first opportunity, but is that right? Do you make a ...
4
votes
1answer
96 views
Excess water after Netillath Yadayim
Is excess water after Netillath Yadayim usable for other purposes? For example, you wash for bread, and you leave water in the cup - can someone use that water, or do they need to empty and refill ...
4
votes
1answer
74 views
Bakery workers washing Negel Vasser
In my local bakery there are Jewish non religious workers. Is there a concern that perhaps when they are handling the baked goods they have not washed negel Vasser (morning n'tilas yadayim)?
8
votes
3answers
109 views
Washing for bread before Kiddush. Convenient for sukkos?
There is a custom followed by Jews of German extraction to wash for Hamotzi before making Kiddush. See OC 271 (12) MB{61}. This is very convenient for those who have an outside sukka and don’t want ...
10
votes
3answers
170 views
Women and Mayim Acharonim
I very often eat at meals where after the meal, all of the men wash mayim acharonim, but none of the women do so.
I am aware of a number of halachic sources that say both men and women should wash ...
3
votes
2answers
86 views
Washing feet before coming inside: Avraham vs. Lot
When the angels came to visit Avraham, he asked them (Bereishis 18:4) to "Bathe your feet, and recline under the tree". Rashi explains:
He thought that they were Arabs, who prostrate themselves to ...
2
votes
1answer
67 views
Kissing the mezuzah before netilat yadayim in the morning
Is it permissible to kiss the mezuzah in the morning before you wash your hands (netilat yadayim)?
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?
7
votes
1answer
130 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, ...
4
votes
1answer
114 views
Al Netilas Yadayim in morning and after bathroom
Are you supposed to say the bracha al netilas yadayim after doing negel vasser after waking up or going to the bathroom?
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
102 views
Washing for bread with bandages covering the hands
If someone has bandages completely covering both hands, what does he do before eating bread?
Normally with a bandage covering part of the hard, I've heard that you wash the rest, but in this case ...
3
votes
1answer
65 views
Wiping hands on Tisha b'Av
Since many authorities permit wiping the hands if one does not have water to wash with, is one forbidden to wipe their hands on Tisha b'Av?
5
votes
2answers
143 views
What do you do if there is no Levi or Bechor to wash the Kohain's hands?
What do you do by Duchaning when there is no Levi or Bechor to wash the Kohain's hands?
8
votes
1answer
80 views
Does the Levi who washes the hands of the Kohanim have to be over bar mitzvah?
The Leviim wash the hands of the Kohanim when they go up to bless the people. If a Levi is not available a first born (to the mother) can wash (according to the Askenazi custom) instead, Orach Chaim ...
2
votes
0answers
116 views
Prosthetic limbs in halacha [closed]
What is the status of prosthetic limbs in halacha? For example would a prosthetic hand require netilas yadayim? Is there a difference depending on what material it is made out of?
7
votes
1answer
100 views
Do you have to do netilat yadayim for a brief waking?
If a person wakes up in the middle of the night to perform a small, brief action (say putting a pacifier back into a baby's mouth) is she required to do netilat yadayim (washing her hands ritually)?
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
104 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
155 views
Kiddush on Bread: When to Wash?
Many (most?) rishonim, with the notable exception of the Rabbeinu Tam, hold that if there is no wine (or if you prefer bread) then you can make kiddush, on Shabbos/Yom Tov evening, with bread.
At ...
8
votes
2answers
137 views
What is the source for washing Mayim Acharonim with only a few drops of water?
OC 181 (4) MB [10] says that when washing mayim acharonim one must wash up to the second knuckle and using a few drops does not fulfill the mitzvah at all. Shulchan Oruch HaRav 181 (4) says there is ...
3
votes
2answers
103 views
Mayim Acharonim with a cup?
(Asked because it seems to have been neglected from the answers to this question.)
Is one required to wash Mayim Acharonim from of a cup (or vessel that is kosher for Mayim Rishonim)? Must one use ...
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?
2
votes
0answers
61 views
Washing three times in the morning
From what I understand, there are three times when one should wash their hands in the method used for negel vasser that occur every day
in the morning (negel vasser)
between going to the bathroom ...
7
votes
2answers
158 views
washing your hands and forgetting
If you wash your hands and your mind goes blank and you dont remember if you said a bracha or not. do you make a new one? Do you wash again and then make a new one?
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) ...
8
votes
2answers
91 views
If one hand gets dirty, do both require washing?
I'm in middle of davening, and scratch a usually-covered place using my little finger (pinky) on my right hand. This requires me to wash my hand before continuing. Do I have to:
wash both my hands?
...
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)?
...
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).
7
votes
4answers
312 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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
1answer
54 views
Water from hydroelectric plant for netilat yadayim?
The Shulchan Aruch OC 160:2 rules that water with which one has done "melachah," is disqualified from netilat yadayim. Does this include water which has flowed downstream from a hydroelectric plant?
7
votes
2answers
153 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?
18
votes
6answers
2k views
Washing hands for eating pizza
How many slices are required to make you responsible to wash on Pizza?
2
votes
1answer
74 views
mayim emtzaiyim - washing hands between eating fish and meat
Mishna B'rura 173:4 and Aruch Hashulchan 173:2 say we don't need to wash our hands between eating fish and eating meat. Do any latter-day pos'kim argue with this? Does any group practice this halacha ...
4
votes
3answers
196 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 ...
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?
3
votes
1answer
55 views
Why is moisture a chatzizah for netilas yadayim?
Why is moisture a chatzizah for netilas yadayim? I guess you can say that the hands must be completely clean, but then why don't you have to wipe your hands in middle? For example, one who washes his ...
4
votes
1answer
130 views
Drying hands after leaving cemetery
I understand that we are supposed to let our hands air-dry after washing them (when leaving a cemetery). Can we blow dry them?
5
votes
2answers
104 views
Touching the forearm when putting on Tefilin
If one has touched his forearm while placing the arm-Tefilin (I see that it's a very common case), is he obligated to wash his hands immediately, as he has to say a Beracha on the head-Tefilin? If so, ...
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 ...
5
votes
3answers
197 views
What are the parameters for washing after excusing one's self in the middle of the meal?
If I recall correctly from Chayei Adam and elsewhere, if you're in the middle of a bread-based meal and excuse yourself to defecate, first of all you should wash with soap and water for hygienic ...
5
votes
1answer
87 views
Sleeping Tumah Transfers
If someone wakes up and touches another object before washing his/her hands, does that object get some level of tumah as well?
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 ...
