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Mayim Achronim: Difference between revisions

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==The basics of the obligation==
==The basics of the obligation==
# 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. <Ref> Brachot 53b, Chulin 105a-b </ref>
# 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. <Ref> Brachot 53b, Chulin 105a-b </ref>
# 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). <Ref> Rambam(Brachot 6:3), Rabbeinu Yonah(Brachot 40b), Rif(Chulin 37b) hold that it applies because of danger. Ravad(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. </ref>
# Sephardic custom 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’s an obligation of being Kadosh, or it’s to have clean hands for Birkat HaMazon, (yet the obligation to wash applies even if one has clean hands). <Ref> Rambam(Brachot 6:3), Rabbeinu Yonah(Brachot 40b), Rif(Chulin 37b) hold that it applies because of danger. Ravad(Brachot 6:2), Rashba(Chulin 105ua), and Rashbetz(Brachot ch. 8) seems to hold that the purpose is to have clean hands for Birkat HaMazon. S"A 181:1 rules (even nowadays) it's an obligation to do Mayim Achronim. </ref>
# 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. <Ref> Tosfot (Brahcot 53b,Chulin 105a, Eiruvin 17b), Rama in Darkei Moshe 181:1, Levush 181:9 that so is Minhag Ashkenaz. Gra 181:12, Aruch HaShulchan 181:5, Mishna Brurah 181:22 hold it’s preferable for Ashkenazim to wash Mayim Achronim. </ref>
# The Minhag Ashkenazim is like the Rishonim who say there is no obligation in our times because there’s no concern of Semite salt. <Ref> Tosfot (Brahcot 53b,Chulin 105a, Eiruvin 17b), Rama in Darkei Moshe 181:1, Levush 181:9 that so is Minhag Ashkenaz. Gra 181:12, Aruch HaShulchan 181:5, Mishna Brurah 181:22 hold it’s preferable for Ashkenazim to wash Mayim Achronim. </ref>
 
==Who is obligated?==
==Who is obligated?==
# Women are obligated in Mayim Achronim. <Ref> Torah Chaim Sofer 181:1, Shalmat Chaim 119, Halichot Olam vol 2 Shalach 1, against the Shevet HaLevi 4:23. </ref>
# Women are obligated in Mayim Achronim. <Ref> Torah Chaim Sofer 181:1, Shalmat Chaim 119, Halichot Olam vol 2 Shalach 1, against the Shevet HaLevi 4:23. </ref>