Ideally, one would always do ritual handwashing (netilas yadayim) and say Asher Yotzar after going to the bathroom. (Source: Shulchan Aruch OC 4:18 for handwashing; here for asher yatzar) However, in practice this can sometimes be hard to do--especially in public restrooms, and/or without a washing cup. Is it better in these cases to skip the blessing altogether, or to say it with (ritually) unwashed hands?
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3where does it say you must have a cup?– rayFeb 19, 2015 at 21:31
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1Sourcing your first sentence would improve this post.– Double AA ♦Feb 19, 2015 at 21:32
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3Note a third possibility: say it later when you do wash your hands. judaism.stackexchange.com/q/9760/759– Double AA ♦Feb 19, 2015 at 21:32
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Related: judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/44688/…– SAHFeb 19, 2015 at 22:50
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1Related: judaism.stackexchange.com/q/50694 and judaism.stackexchange.com/a/51362– FredFeb 20, 2015 at 0:39
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2 Answers
Yalqut Yosef - Qizur Shulhan 'Arukh (Orah Hayim 3:2) states (my translation):
צריך ליטול ידיו כדי לברך אשר יצר... [אבל] מעיקר הדין מותר לומר דברים שבקדושה אחר ניקוי ידיו במידי דמנקי
One should wash one's hands in order to recite "Asher Yazar"... But, strictly according to the letter of the law, one is permitted to say devarim shebiqdushah after cleaning one's hands with midi dimnaqe'i (i.e. items that clean).
Therefore, later (Orah Hayim 6:14) he states (translation):
בשעת הדחק [יכול] לנקות ידיו במידי דמנקי כדי לברך אשר יצר
In a pinch, one may clean one's hands with midi dimnaqe'i (i.e. items that clean) in order to recite "Asher Yazar".
In short, ascertain that your hands are clean of visible dirt, rub them gently along the wall (if running water is unavailable), and recite "Asher Yazar".
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Washing in a sink is probably way better than rubbing against a wall.– Double AA ♦Feb 2, 2017 at 22:24
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@DoubleAA You're right. I described an extreme case (e.g. urinating in the wilderness) from which one could learn a fortiori that a sink would be better.– LeeFeb 2, 2017 at 22:36
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@SAH Is this answer insufficient? If so, please indicate how so that I can improve it. If it or another one is sufficient, please consider "accepting" an answer.– LeeFeb 5, 2017 at 10:58
If there is no other faucet available, then let him wash in the lavatory, exit, dry his hands, and bless asher yatzar. He should not skip it.
If even he has no water at all, let him rub his hands on something and bless.
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1This answer would be improved if you could provide sources. It reads as though it is a quote... Feb 2, 2017 at 18:22
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consider reading this beginners' guide: meta.judaism.stackexchange.com/a/3887/8775. not in particular that this site places significant emphasis on sources. Stating your sources and whether or not you are quoting something is of paramount importance here. hopefully you choose to stick around and continue enriching the site.– mevaqeshFeb 2, 2017 at 19:37