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Mayim Achronim: Difference between revisions
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# Both men and women are obligated in Mayim Achronim. <Ref> Torah Chaim Sofer 181:1, Sh"t Shalmat Chaim 119, Sh"t Yitzchak Yeranen 4:35, Sh"t Rivovot Efraim 1:140(3), Sh"t Sh"t Divrei Chachamim (pg 62) in name of Rav Elyashiv, Rav Ovadyah Yosef in Halichot Olam (vol 2 Shalach 1), Halacha Brurah 181:1, Hilchot Bat Yisrael (pg 59) in the name of Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurerbach hold that women are obligated in Mayim Achronim. </ref> The custom of many Ashkenazic women, however, is not to wash mayim acharonim. <ref> Rabbi Yitzchak Yaacov Fuchs in Halichos Bas Yisroel (pg 59): HaGaon Rav Shmuel HaLevi Wossner writes in Shevet HaLevi, Vol. 4, Orach Chayim, No. 23, that the basis for women not washing mayim acharonim is found in the Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 181:10. Chazal explain that in Talmudic days a certain type of salt, called melach s'domith (salt from Sodom) was commonly used and that it could cause blindness if it came in contact with the eyes. The original purpose of mayim acharonim was to rinse the melach s'domith off the hands. The Shulchan Arukh states that since this salt is no longer in use, the obligation of mayim acharonim no longer applies. Although many men follow the view of other authorities who maintain that the mitzvah does apply today, women commonly follow the view of the Shulchan Arukh. HaGaon Rav Yonah Merzbach reports that in many German communities, before the Second World War, women omitted mayim acharonim and that this practice was common even in households extremely scrupulous in the performance of mitzvoth.</ref> | # Both men and women are obligated in Mayim Achronim. <Ref> Torah Chaim Sofer 181:1, Sh"t Shalmat Chaim 119, Sh"t Yitzchak Yeranen 4:35, Sh"t Rivovot Efraim 1:140(3), Sh"t Sh"t Divrei Chachamim (pg 62) in name of Rav Elyashiv, Rav Ovadyah Yosef in Halichot Olam (vol 2 Shalach 1), Halacha Brurah 181:1, Hilchot Bat Yisrael (pg 59) in the name of Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurerbach hold that women are obligated in Mayim Achronim. </ref> The custom of many Ashkenazic women, however, is not to wash mayim acharonim. <ref> Rabbi Yitzchak Yaacov Fuchs in Halichos Bas Yisroel (pg 59): HaGaon Rav Shmuel HaLevi Wossner writes in Shevet HaLevi, Vol. 4, Orach Chayim, No. 23, that the basis for women not washing mayim acharonim is found in the Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 181:10. Chazal explain that in Talmudic days a certain type of salt, called melach s'domith (salt from Sodom) was commonly used and that it could cause blindness if it came in contact with the eyes. The original purpose of mayim acharonim was to rinse the melach s'domith off the hands. The Shulchan Arukh states that since this salt is no longer in use, the obligation of mayim acharonim no longer applies. Although many men follow the view of other authorities who maintain that the mitzvah does apply today, women commonly follow the view of the Shulchan Arukh. HaGaon Rav Yonah Merzbach reports that in many German communities, before the Second World War, women omitted mayim acharonim and that this practice was common even in households extremely scrupulous in the performance of mitzvoth.</ref> | ||
# Even if one didn’t touch the food with his hands, one is obligated in Mayim Achronim. <Ref> Halacha Brurah 181. If one has no water (up to 4 mil, which is less than 4 kilometers, on the way or 1 mil in the opposite direction) he should not touch the food when he eats. </ref> | # Even if one didn’t touch the food with his hands, one is obligated in Mayim Achronim. <Ref> Halacha Brurah 181. If one has no water (up to 4 mil, which is less than 4 kilometers, on the way or 1 mil in the opposite direction) he should not touch the food when he eats. </ref> | ||
# 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. <Ref> Chulin 105b is the source of the obligation and is brought down by the Rif (Brachot 8), so too the Talmidei Rabbenu Yonah, Raah, Michtam, Rashbez. The Rashba(torat bayit 6:1) is lenient. However nowadays no one is strict on this as the Tur and Shulchan Aruch left out this halacha. Pekudei Elazar 181, Halichot olam vol 2 shalach 1. </ref> | # Some say one is obligated even if one didn’t even eat a meal but just touched salt. However the minhag is not to be stringent in this regard. <Ref> Chulin 105b is the source of the obligation and is brought down by the Rif (Brachot 8), so too the Talmidei Rabbenu Yonah, Raah, Michtam, Rashbez. The Rashba(torat bayit 6:1) is lenient. However nowadays no one is strict on this as the Tur and Shulchan Aruch left out this halacha. Pekudei Elazar 181, Halichot olam vol 2 shalach 1. </ref> | ||
# Even Ashkenzim who | # Even Ashkenzim who are not stringent concerning Mayim Achronim, if one’s hands are dirty and one would be concerned with their cleanliness, one is obligated to clean one's hands or wash them before Birkat HaMazon. <Ref> Shulchan Aruch 181:10, from Tosfot (Br 53b), Nemukei Yosef, Rosh 8:6, Mordechei Br 191, Aguda Br 8 and Tur. So too, if his ate or drank not in a bread meal and his hands are dirty he still must wash hands before the Bracha Achrona. Even not an Istanis who touched an unclean area or a covered area on the body must clean or wash his hands in any way before making a Bracha. Magan Avraham 181:10, Zechur leAvraham 40, Mishna Brurah 181:23, Kaf Chaim 181:9, Pri Megadim A”A 9. </ref> | ||
==Interruptions between washing and making [[Birkat HaMazon]]== | ==Interruptions between washing and making [[Birkat HaMazon]]== | ||
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# Some have the practice to say “Mayim Achronim Chovah (is obligatory)”. <Ref> Rav Chaim Palachi in Ruach Chaim 181:1, Ben Ish Chaim Shalch 7 says that it can count as a word of Torah during a meal. </ref> | # Some have the practice to say “Mayim Achronim Chovah (is obligatory)”. <Ref> Rav Chaim Palachi in Ruach Chaim 181:1, Ben Ish Chaim Shalch 7 says that it can count as a word of Torah during a meal. </ref> | ||
==If one forgot Mayim Achronim== | ==If one forgot Mayim Achronim== | ||
# If one forgot to wash Mayim Achronim before [[Birkat HaMazon]] or didn’t have water, must wash after Birkat HaMazon. <Ref> Chesed Alafim 181:8, Ben Ish Chai Shalch 11, Kaf Chaim 181:26, Mishna Brurah 181:2 against the Ometz Yozfa 155 who says not to wash because it degrades the sanctity of Birkat Hamazon. </ref> | # If one forgot to wash Mayim Achronim before [[Birkat HaMazon]] or didn’t have water, one must wash after Birkat HaMazon. <Ref> Chesed Alafim 181:8, Ben Ish Chai Shalch 11, Kaf Chaim 181:26, Mishna Brurah 181:2 against the Ometz Yozfa 155 who says not to wash because it degrades the sanctity of Birkat Hamazon. </ref> | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
