Mayim Achronim: Difference between revisions

 

There is a mitzvah to wash one's hand after a bread meal before [[Birkat HaMazon]]. This mitzvah is called Mayim Achronim. The rabbis loosely derived it to a pasuk “VeHayiteem Kedoshim” - we should be holy. Additionally, Mayim Achronim was instituted in order to prevent Sedomite salt from getting into one’s eyes, which could potentially blind oneself. <Ref> [[Brachot]] 53b, Chulin 105a-b </ref>

 

# The Sephardic custom until this day is to wash one's hands after a bread meal. This practice is called Mayim Achronim. It is based on many Rishonim who hold Mayim Achronim is an obligation nowadays either because there is a concern of Sedomite salt even in our times, there is an obligation of being Kadosh through observing Mayim Achronim, or there is an obligation of cleaning one's hands for [[Birkat HaMazon]]. <Ref> Rambam ([[Brachot]] 6:3), Rabbeinu Yonah ([[Brachot]] 40b), and Rif (Chulin 37b) hold that it applies because of danger that the Sedomite salt can cause. Raavad ([[Brachot]] 6:2), Rashba (Chulin 105a), and Rashbetz ([[Brachot]] ch. 8) seems to hold that the purpose is to have clean hands for [[Birkat HaMazon]]. S"A 181:1 rules that it is an obligation to do Mayim Achronim even nowadays. </ref>

# According to Ashkenazim, one doesn't have to wash Mayim Achronim, however, some say that it is preferable to wash Mayim Achronim.<Ref> Tosfot ([[Brachot]] 53b, Chulin 105a, Eiruvin 17b) hold that there's no obligation to wash Mayim Achronim nowadays because the concern of Sedomite salt is not longer relevant. Rama in Darkei Moshe 181:1 and Levush 181:9 codify the opinion of Tosfot and add that that is the Ashkenazic Minhag. The Gra 181:12, Aruch HaShulchan 181:5, and Mishna Brurah 181:22, however, hold that it’s preferable for Ashkenazim to wash Mayim Achronim. </ref>