Netilat Yadayim for a Meal: Difference between revisions

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==Which waters are fit for Netilat Yadayim?==
==Which waters are fit for Netilat Yadayim?==
# Waters that changed it’s color are unfit for [[Netilat Yadayim]]. The same law applies whether the color changed because something fell in, or because of the container. <Ref> S”A 160:1 writes that the law of waters that changed it’s color is the same whether the color changed on it’s own, because of something falling in, or because of the container. Mishna Brurah 160:2 writes that the Achronim point out that the S”A merely copied the language of the Tur, however, we hold like the Rambam and so it’s permitted. </ref>
# Waters that changed it’s color are unfit for [[Netilat Yadayim]]. The same law applies whether the color changed because something fell in, or because of the container. <Ref> S”A 160:1 writes that the law of waters that changed it’s color is the same whether the color changed on it’s own, because of something falling in, or because of the container. Mishna Brurah 160:2 writes that the Achronim point out that the S”A merely copied the language of the Tur, however, we hold like the Rambam and so it’s permitted. </ref>
# If a dog would not drink the water then it is unfit for Netilat Yadayim. <ref> Kitzur S"A 40:10 </ref>
# If a dog would not drink the water then it is unfit for Netilat Yadayim. <ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 40:10 </ref>
# If dye changed the color of water even if it didn’t dissolve the water is unfit. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 160:2 </ref>
# If dye changed the color of water even if it didn’t dissolve the water is unfit. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 160:2 </ref>
# If dirt fell into water it’s not considered water that changed colors. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 160:3 </ref>
# If dirt fell into water it’s not considered water that changed colors. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 160:3 </ref>

Revision as of 08:30, 18 November 2015

Obligation

  1. Even one whose hands aren't necessarily dirty or impure (tamei) has to wash his hands before a meal. [1]
  2. Women are also obligated in netilat yadayim. [2]
  3. One should try to train his children to wash netilat yadayim for a meal. [3]

Minimum amount of bread to obligate Netilat Yadayim

  1. If one is going to eat more than a KeBaytzah of bread, one must wash Netilat Yadayim with a Bracha. [4]
  2. If one is going to eat less than a KeBaytzah but more than a Kezayit of bread, one should wash without a bracha, however, some Ashkenazim hold that one may wash with a bracha. [5]
  3. If one is going to eat less than a Kezayit of bread, some say that doesn't have to wash Netilat Yadayim, while others say that one should wash without a Bracha. It is proper to be strict to wash without a bracha.[6]

Which waters are fit for Netilat Yadayim?

  1. Waters that changed it’s color are unfit for Netilat Yadayim. The same law applies whether the color changed because something fell in, or because of the container. [7]
  2. If a dog would not drink the water then it is unfit for Netilat Yadayim. [8]
  3. If dye changed the color of water even if it didn’t dissolve the water is unfit. [9]
  4. If dirt fell into water it’s not considered water that changed colors. [10]
  5. If water that changed it’s color changed back to it’s normal state it’s considered fit. [11]
  6. If one does Tevilat Yadayim in a mikvah, the waters are fit even if the waters changed colors unless dye, red wine, or fruit juice fell in and dissolved. [12]

Going to the bathroom before a meal

  1. If one goes to the bathroom and then wants to have a bread meal,
    1. according to Ashkenazim, one should wash as one leaves the bathroom however this washing should be done without a kli (straight from sink), (preferably, also rub touch one’s shoe or rub one’s scalp), say Asher Yatzer, and then wash again with a Bracha of Netilat Yadayim. (Ashkenazim have what to rely on to follow the next method of washing).
    2. However, according to Sephardim, one should wash once, make the Bracha of Asher Yatzer, and then make the Netilat Yadayim and Hamotzei. [13]
  2. If one goes to the bathroom during a meal, one should wash his hands without a Bracha. [14]

If one forgot to wash or say Al Netilat Yadayim

  1. If one forgot to wash and one already said HaMotzei and ate a little bit of bread, one should wash Netilat Yadayim with a bracha and then continue to eat without another bracha of HaMotzei.[15]

The Laws of Chatzitzah

  1. One's hands must be clean so that the Netilat Yadayim water reaches all parts of the hand.[16]
  2. A basic guideline for Chatzitza is that if it is something one normally cares is on his hands and would remove then he is obligated to remove it before washing. If not, one may leave it on,
  3. Common examples of Chatzitza include bandaids, jewelry,and dirt. Dirt under one's fingernails also constitute a chatzitza and should be cleaned or removed before washing. [17]

Bracha

  1. For the text of the bracha, see the Text of Brachot#Netilat Yadayim page.

When to Recite the Bracha

  1. The minhag is to make the bracha of Al Netilat Yadiyim between washing and drying one’s hands. [18]
  2. Some Sephardim follow the Shulchan Aruch, who says that as long as one's hands are clean one should make the bracha BEFORE washing one's hands. [19]
  3. If one forgot to make the bracha of Al Netilat Yadayim before drying one’s hands, according to Ashekazim one is still permitted to make a bracha of Netilat Yadayim until one makes Hamotzi. Sephardim hold that once one’s hands are totally dry one may not make the bracha. [20]
  4. Although most Birkot HaMitzvot must be recited before the performance of the Mitzvah [21], the common practice - since the era of the Rishonim - has been to recite the bracha for Netillat Yadayim after washing. [22] However, many early poskim questioned the validity of this minhag. [23] Shulchan Aruch [24] rules that one should recite the bracha before washing, but acknowledges that the custom is not so. Rema [25] says that the bracha can be recited before drying the hands, which is also part of the Mitzvah. Beiur Halacha [26] says that it makes sense that the halacha is like the Bet Yosef / Shulchan Aruch, and therefore one should not protest against those who wish to recite the bracha first. Some contemporary poskim recommend that one should therefore recite the bracha before washing. [27]

Talking before Eating Bread

  1. One is not required to re-wash if he spoke before eating bread, however, he should be careful not to speak any more. One may speak for matters that are necessary for the meal, like asking for the bread or salt. [28]

Sources

  1. Yalkut Yosef Dinei Netilat Yadayim, Birkat Hamazon, Brachot, Mincha and Arvit page 13 Siman 158:2.
  2. Yalkut Yosef Dinei Netilat Yadayim, Birkat Hamazon, Brachot, Mincha and Arvit page 13, Siman 158:3, Ben Ish Chai Parashat Shemini:2, Kaf Hachayim 158:74
  3. Yalkut Yosef Dinei Netilat Yadayim, Birkat Hamazon, Brachot, Mincha and Arvit page 13-14 based on the Yerushalmi in Megilla 2:5 that chinuch of children applies to rabbinic laws.
  4. Shulchan Aruch 158:2 writes that some say if one eats less than a KeBaytzah of bread one should wash without a bracha. Mishna Brurah 158:9 writes that if one eats the size of a KeBaytzah without the shell it is certainly sufficient to make the bracha of Netilat Yadayim.
  5. Shulchan Aruch 158:2 writes that some say if one eats less than a KeBaytzah of bread one should wash without a bracha. Mishna Brurah 158:9 explains that some say one only makes the bracha upon a KeBaytzah because Tumah only applies to food the size of a KeBaytzah, whereas others say that one makes the bracha upon a Kezayit because that is considered a significant eating in regards to Birkat HaMazon, so too it should be considered sufficient to obligate Netilat Yadayim with a Bracha. These two sides are brought by the Beit Yosef 158 in the name of the Rokeach. Mishna Brurah concludes that if one ate less than a KeBaytzah but more than a Kezayit one should wash Netilat Yadayim without a bracha. Yalkut Yosef 158:4 agrees. However, Vezot HaBracha chap 2, pg 13 based on Igrot Moshe 4:44 and Rav Elyashiv argues that one may say the bracha of Netilat Yadayim as long as one is going to eat a Kezayit, though he adds that it is preferable to eat a KeBaytzah in order to satisfy all opinions. Ritva Sukkah 25a "ukishehayviu" says that a Kezayit does require netilat yadayim with a beracha.
  6. Shulchan Aruch 158:3 writes that some say that one doesn't have to was Netilat Yadayim if one is going to eat less than a Kezayit. This is the opinion 158 in the name of the Rokeach. Mishna Brurah 158:10 quotes the Taz who agrees with Shulchan Aruch in opposition to the Magen Avraham who says that one should wash without a Bracha. Mishna Brurah concludes that one should be strict for the opinion of the Magen Avraham. The Lechem Chamudot Perek Kol Basar: 72 agrees with this Magen Avraham
  7. S”A 160:1 writes that the law of waters that changed it’s color is the same whether the color changed on it’s own, because of something falling in, or because of the container. Mishna Brurah 160:2 writes that the Achronim point out that the S”A merely copied the language of the Tur, however, we hold like the Rambam and so it’s permitted.
  8. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 40:10
  9. Mishna Brurah 160:2
  10. Mishna Brurah 160:3
  11. Mishna Brurah 160:5
  12. Mishna Brurah 160:4
  13. S”A 165:1 writes that for someone who’s leaving a bathroom and wants to have a bread meal should either wash, make Asher Yatzer, and then wash again and recite Al Netilat Yadayim OR wash once and recite Asher Yatzer and then Al Netilat Yadayim. Mishna Brurah 165:2-3 writes that it’s preferable to do the first practice in S”A, but adds that one should make sure that the first washing isn’t a complete washing, otherwise, there’s no need for the second washing. Accordingly, Halichot Shlomo 26:26 writes that Rav Shlomo Zalman’s minhag was to wash without a kli.
    • Similarly, Kesot HaShulchan 33:14 suggests another way to make the first washing not considered effective for eating bread and that’s to wash one hand, touch it with the other, wash the other hand and touch it with the other again.
    • On the other hand, Rav Moshe Shternbuch (Teshuvot Vihanhagot 1:168) writes that the best thing to do is to wash properly and say Al Netilas Yadayim, then after drying your hands say Asher Yatzer before Hamotzei. Rav Shternbuch adds that his Rebbi, Rav Moshe Schneider witnessed the Chofetz Chaim wash his hands only once and say Al Netilat Yadayim and then say Asher Yatzer after drying his hands, which is the second practice recorded by Shulchan Aruch, but not in accordance with what is written in the Mishna Brurah. Rav Shternbuch adds that the Chazon Ish did it this way as well. Also, Maaseh Rav (no. 77) recommends following the second practice of Shulchan Aruch.
    • Another alternative: Magen Avraham 165:2 writes that if one doesn’t usually touch one’s shoe or rub one’s scalp before washing it’s improper since it’s a way of causing oneself to make an unnecessary Bracha. the Ben Ish Chai (Shemini 9) and Kaf HaChaim 165:4 hold that it’s justified. Piskei Teshuvot 165:1 agrees.
  14. S”A 164:2 writes that if during a meal, one accidentally touched an area on the body that’s usually covered or rubbed his scalp one needs to make a new Bracha. The Maharshal argues on S”A and holds that no new Bracha is needed. The Taz, Pri Megadim, Derech Chaim, Magen Giborim agree with the Maharshal, while Maamar Mordechai, Mateh Yehuda, Bigdei Yesha, Bet Meir, (Nahar Shalom, Chemed Moshe 170) agree with S”A. Even though the Mishna Brurah 164:13 makes a compromise and writes that after going to the bathroom, touching a area of the body that’s dirty, or making a long interruption by walking, one needs to wash with a Bracha, since many achronim argue (S”A HaRav 164:2, Ben Ish Chai Kedoshim 21, Kaf HaChaim 164:16, Kitzur S”A 40:16) one shouldn’t make the Bracha. Piskei Teshuvot 164:5 writes that the minhag of the world is not to make a new Bracha.
  15. Rivevot Efraim 1:129, Igrot Moshe 2:53
  16. S”A 161:1 The Mishna Brurah 161:1 explains that this halachah is modeled after the laws of chatzitza by Tevilat HaGuf - when one has a Torah obligation to dip in a mikvah. There, the halacha is that if one has something covering most of his body while dipping he does not fulfill his Torah obligation to Tovel. The Rabbanan decreed that any amount of dividing substance disqualifies the Tevilah. Even though the institution to wash one's hands before a meal is only Rabbinic, the Rabbi's instituted the washing with similar laws to the Torah washing - tevilat haguf.
  17. Shulchan Aruch 161:1.
  18. S”A 158:11 writes that the bracha of Netilat Yadayim is like most other brachot and have to be made prior to completing the mitzvah. Therefore concludes S”A the practice is to rub one’s hands to clean them (so one can make the bracha), then make the bracha prior to washing. However, Mishna Brurah 158:41 writes that the minhag of the world is to make the bracha after washing but before drying like the Rama writes is permissible.
  19. As quoted in the previous source, S”A 158:11 writes that the bracha of Netilat Yadayim is like most other brachot and have to be made prior to completing the mitzvah, therefore one should rub one’s hands to clean them (in order to be able to make the bracha), then make the bracha prior to washing. See the Discussion page for a listing of where this is the minhag.
  20. Rama 158:11 writes that if one forgot to make a bracha before drying one’s hand one can make the bracha after drying. Mishna Brurah 158:44 supports the Rama by saying that Netilat Yadayim is different than other brachot and may be made after the mitzvah is completed. Mishna Brurah writes that even though the Taz forbids making the bracha after having dryed one's hands, since most Achronim hold like the Rama one may act according to the Rama, one should however be careful to avoid such a situation. Sephardim should note that Ben Ish Chai (Shemini Halacha 7) and Chacham Ovadia Yosef in Halichot Olam (v. 1, p. 317) rule, once you have dried your hands you can no longer make the bracha.
  21. Pesachim 119b
  22. Tosafot Peaschim 7b s.v. Al HaTevillah
  23. See Tur (O.C. 158), Bet Yosef OC 158.
  24. O.C. 158:11
  25. O.C. 158:11
  26. O.C. 158:11 s.v. Mevarech Kodem
  27. Halacha Brurahh (O.C. 158:11) writes that if one's hands are clean, and others are not watching, he should recite the bracha first. Rabbi Hershel Schachter recites the bracha prior to washing his hands (Ten Minute Halacha - Speaking Between Netilas Yadayim and the Beracha 6:35, HalachaDoc LG-A33.
  28. Mishna Brura 166:1, Halacha Brurah 161:3