Netilat Yadayim upon Waking Up: Difference between revisions

# Women are equally obligated to wash [[Netilat Yadayim]]. <ref> Pri Megadim (M"Z 4:7), Mishna Brurah 4:10, Kaf Hachayim 4:20, and Halacha Brurah 4:21. Kaf HaChaim points out that in fact, women may have a greater obligation because they have more control over the purity of their houses since they prepare the food and feed the children. </ref>

# There is a difference of opinions when a child should be taught to wash his hands in the morning. Some say that a child of 5 or 6 should be taught, while others say that once the child is able to eat on his own should taught. <ref>

*Shulchan Aruch Harav 4:2, Eishel Avraham OC 4, and Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichot Shlomo 20:25 say that the obligation for children to wash begins at the age of [[chinuch]] for other mitzvot which is approximately 5 or 6.  

*Mishna Brurah 4:10 (based on Pri Megadim 7) says the obligation begins at the time when the child begins to eat on his own. Ben Ish Hai, Toledot 10 agrees.  

*Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky in Emet LeYacov 4:10 says that it begins when a child is old enough to say [[amen]] to a beracha or recite a pasuk in torah.  

*The Kaf Hachayim 4:23 and Ben Ish Chai (Toldot #10) say that even a newborn's hands should be washed by his parents. See further [http://torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5766/lechlecha.html Rabbi Neustadt at torah.org]</ref>