Mayim Achronim

1. The washing of one’s hands after a bread meal before Birkat Hamazon is called Mayim Achronim. The Gemara finds support for this law from the pasuk “VeHayiteem Keoshim” and says it prevents Sedomite salt from getting into one’s eyes and blinding oneself. 2. Many Rishonim hold it applies in our times either because there is a concern of Sedomite salt even in our times, there’s an obligation of Kedusha, or it’s to have clean hands for Birkat HaMazon, (yet the obligation to wash applies even if one has clean hands without a mitzvah). 3. On the other hand, some Rishonim say there is no obligation in our times because there’s no concern of Sedomite salt. So is the Minhag Ashkenazim, while Sephardim hold it’s an obligation.

Who's obligated?

1. Women are obligated in Mayim Achronim 2. Even if one didn’t touch the food with his hand is obligated in Mayim Achronim. 3. Some say one is obligated even if one didn’t even a meal but just touched salt. However the minhag is not to be stringent in this regard. 4. Ashkenzim who don’t keep Mayim Achronim, if one’s hands are dirty and is concerned with cleanliness (Istanis) is obligated to clean his hands or wash them before Birkat HaMazon.