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Mayim Achronim: Difference between revisions
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==The basics of the obligation== | ==The basics of the obligation== | ||
# 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]]. | # 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]]. Shulchan Aruch 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> | # 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> | ||
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# If one only has a [[Reviit]] of water one should use it for Mayim Rishonim and not Mayim Achronim. <Ref> Birur Halacha 181:4 from Bet Yosef 181:1, Eliyah Raba 181:1, Mateh Yosef O”C 2:18(32) in name of Orchot Chaim, and Yad Aharon Siman 158 </ref> | # If one only has a [[Reviit]] of water one should use it for Mayim Rishonim and not Mayim Achronim. <Ref> Birur Halacha 181:4 from Bet Yosef 181:1, Eliyah Raba 181:1, Mateh Yosef O”C 2:18(32) in name of Orchot Chaim, and Yad Aharon Siman 158 </ref> | ||
==How the washing is done== | ==How the washing is done== | ||
# One should wash up to the second set of knuckles on one's fingers and on one's thumb one should wash up to the first knuckle. It’s preferable to be strict for the opinion that one should to wash the entirety of one's fingers. <Ref> Based on Rashba Torat Bayit 6:1 and Raavad, the S”A 181:4 rules that one should wash one's fingers up to the second row of knuckles. Rabbenu Bechaye in Shulchan Shel Arba, however, requires one to wash one's whole finger. Mishna Brurah 181:10 quotes Talmedei Rabbenu Yonah who say that the thumb must only be washed up to the first knuckle. Halacha Brurah 181:11 agrees. Beiur Halacha s.v. Ad Perek Sheni and Kaf HaChaim 181:17 agree that it's preferable to be strict for the opinion of the Arizal that one should wash one's whole finger. [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=338 Rabbi Mansour on Dailyhalacha.com] quotes the | # One should wash up to the second set of knuckles on one's fingers and on one's thumb one should wash up to the first knuckle. It’s preferable to be strict for the opinion that one should to wash the entirety of one's fingers. <Ref> Based on Rashba Torat Bayit 6:1 and Raavad, the S”A 181:4 rules that one should wash one's fingers up to the second row of knuckles. Rabbenu Bechaye in Shulchan Shel Arba, however, requires one to wash one's whole finger. Mishna Brurah 181:10 quotes Talmedei Rabbenu Yonah who say that the thumb must only be washed up to the first knuckle. Halacha Brurah 181:11 agrees. Beiur Halacha s.v. Ad Perek Sheni and Kaf HaChaim 181:17 agree that it's preferable to be strict for the opinion of the Arizal that one should wash one's whole finger. [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=338 Rabbi Mansour on Dailyhalacha.com] quotes the Shulchan Aruch and says to preferably be machmir for the opinion of the Arizal (to wash the entirety of the fingers). Halacha Brurah 181:11 agrees.</ref> | ||
# There’s no Bracha for Mayim Achronim. <Ref> S”A 181:7. The Bet Yosef quotes the Ramah who hold that there is a Bracha and so holds some geonim and rishonim such as Yeraim 23, Shibolei Leket 149, Mordechai [[Brachot]] 191, Ravyah 1:145, Raavad [[Brachot]] 6:2. However the Bahag [[Brachot]] 6, Talmidei Rabbanu Yonah 40b, Rosh 8:6, Rambam [[Brachot]] 6:2 say not to make a Bracha. </ref> | # There’s no Bracha for Mayim Achronim. <Ref> S”A 181:7. The Bet Yosef quotes the Ramah who hold that there is a Bracha and so holds some geonim and rishonim such as Yeraim 23, Shibolei Leket 149, Mordechai [[Brachot]] 191, Ravyah 1:145, Raavad [[Brachot]] 6:2. However the Bahag [[Brachot]] 6, Talmidei Rabbanu Yonah 40b, Rosh 8:6, Rambam [[Brachot]] 6:2 say not to make a Bracha. </ref> | ||
# One should face his fingers downward so that the dirt falls off. <Ref> S”A 181:5 based on Sotah 4b. This is also codified by the Rambam ([[Brachot]] 6:16) and Tur. </ref> | # One should face his fingers downward so that the dirt falls off. <Ref> S”A 181:5 based on Sotah 4b. This is also codified by the Rambam ([[Brachot]] 6:16) and Tur. </ref> | ||
