Wednesday, December 11, 2013

The order for ritual handwashing in the morning

Hi,

The order of  ritual handwashing each morning is this: Pick up the cup of water and put it into the left hand, then pour water on the right hand. Switch hands, and pour on the left. Repeat the set three times. This is a ritual washing; unlike the washing done before eating bread, there is no rational explanation for the triple-washing here.

Some add a fourth wash, to remove the water used for the first three.

(Ishei Yisrael 2:5 and footnotes there)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

2 comments:

  1. Hi,
    Is not the explanation for the morning triple-washing is removing the tumah?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lazar-
    Take a look at the Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 4, where he lays out the views of the rishonim nicely.

    ReplyDelete