 | Ch. 40:1-21. The Laws of Washing Before a Meal |
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| Ch. 40:1-21. The Laws of Washing Before a Meal |
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| 40:1 |
 A person who wants to eat bread
over which one says "Who brings forth"
must wash his hands before doing so.
If the bread is more than
the measure of an egg (k'beitzoh*),
he should bless on the washing.
If it is less than this,
the blessing before washing is not said.* {The commonly accepted figure for a k'beitzoh is twice the size of a k'zayis, according to Shiurei Torah and Rav Moshe Feinstein (thus, it is approximately 52 or 62 grams respectively). The Chazon Ish considers it the size of three k'zaysim, thus placing the figure close to 100 grams.} |
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| 40:2 |
Washing the hands
must be from a vessel.*
This vessel must be whole,
without any holes
or cracks that extend (through its walls).
Its upper (rim) should also be level
without any indentations
or protrusions.** * {The vessel must contain at least a revi'is (86:4 cc. according to Shiurei Torah, 150 cc. according to the Chazon Ish) (Shulchon Oruch 159:1). ** (The Misgeres Hashulchon 3 quotes a number of opinions which allow such a vessel to be used, provided it contains at least a revi'is of water below the crack. Similarly, if there is a protrusion on the rim, the vessel may still be used, provided one pours from the level side.}
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| 40:3 |
[The following rules apply to] a vessel
which can stand only
when supported:
If it was originally made with the intent
that it be used when supported (by something else),
it is "a vessel" (and may be used for washing).
If, however, it was not originally intended
to be used in this manner -
e.g., the cover of a pot -
one should not use it for (hand) washing.
In this regard, there are a number of particular laws
mentioned by the Shulchon Oruch. |
| 40:4 |
An exact figure for the water
is difficult to quote
for the minimum amount (for hand washing).
It is necessary to pour
over each hand
a large quantity of water.*
[Shabbos 62b] quotes Rav Chisdoh as saying
"I wash with a full handful of water,
and (G-d) grants me a full handful of goodness." * {The Shulchon Oruch HoRav (162:1) and the Mishnoh B'ruroh (158:37) require a minimum of a revi'is to be poured over each hand.}
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| 40:5 |
After a person washes both his hands,
he should rub them together,
raise them upward to the level of his head
as [Psalms 134:2] states:
"Raise up your hands...",
and before he dries them,
blesses: "..., Who has sanctified us
with Your commandments
and commanded us
regarding washing of hands." (As explained above [Ch. 9:8],
it is customary bless for all mitzvos
before performing them.
However,
washing hands (is an exception),
since, at times,
one's hands are not clean
before they are washed.
[To make a uniform custom,] the Sages instituted,
for every hand washing,
(the practice of) blessing after the washing.
Another example (of blessing before
completing a mitzvah) is the drying of the hands,
(which is also) part of the mitzvah. A person who follows the practice
of washing each hand twice
should pour water on each hand once,
rub them together, and bless,
and then pour water a second time
over each hand.* * {In his Pesokim to the Siddur, Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi, and, similarly, the Mishnoh B'ruroh (158:41), state that the blessing should be said after pouring water over one's hands the second time.}
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| 40:6 |
If, after pouring water
on one hand,
one touched it with the other (unwashed) hand,
or if another person
touched it [with his unwashed hands],
the water on one's hand became impure
and it is necessary to dry (one's hand)
and wash it again.
If this happened
after one has already blessed,
one does not bless again. |
| 40:7 |
A person who does not have a (proper) vessel (for washing hands)
may immerse his hands in a river,
or a mikvah fit for
the immersion of women (see also Ch. 162),
or a spring,
even if it contains less than 40 seah.*
as long as he can cover his hands at one go,
then he can say the blessing on washing the hands.
Under extreme circumstances
one may also immerse one's hands in snow,
if there is enough on the ground
to complete the measure of a mikvah. * {Forty seah is the minimum amount of water necessary for a kosher mikvah. A spring (and similarly, a river when fit for immersion) need not contain this quantity of water to be kosher for immersion. However, the Shulchon Oruch HoRav 159:21 and the Mishnoh B'rurah 159:82 mention a diversity of opinion among the Rabbis whether a mikvah must contain this quantity of water to be used for the immersion of one's hands or not.}
* {This applies to a pump which does not have a receptacle. Hence, when the person's hands are on the ground it is considered as if he is immersing them in the well from which the water is drawn (Mishnoh B'rurah 159:47, Sha'arei Tziyun 45).} |
| 40:8 |
Water whose color has changed,
either because of the place (where it is contained)
or because something has fallen into it,*
may not be used to wash one's hands.
However, if it changed (naturally) by itself,
the water may be used. {* If the color of the water changes because dirt or mud fell into it, it may be used for washing, provided it is fit for a dog to drink from (Shulchon Oruch HoRav 160:1, Mishnoh B'rurah 160:3).}
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| 40:9 |
If one who had not washed his hands
touches water,
the water is not made impure.
Therefore, a person who leaves the lavatory
can scoop water
out of a barrel (with his hands)
in order to wash them
and the (water) remaining is still fit
to be used for the washing of hands.
However, if he rubbed his hands together
in (the water in) the barrel to clean them
- or even dipped into it
only his little finger, to clean (it)
- all the (remaining) water is unfit (for washing)
because work has been performed with it. |
| 40:10 |
Salty water,
(water which is) foul or bitter
or (water) which has dirt stirred up within it,
if it is unfit for a dog to drink from,
may not be used for hand washing. |
| 40:11 |
Before washing,
one must check the hands
(to see) that they are clean,
without any intervening substances upon them.
One who has long fingernails
must clean them well,
so that no dirt or filth will collect underneath them,
for that is "an intervening substance".*
Rings must also be removed,
so that nothing is intervening. *{This applies only to dirt which is above the point where one's fingers end. However, dirt between the nail and the finger is not considered an intervening substance (Shulchon Oruch HoRav 161:1 Mishnoh B'rurah 161:3).} |
| 40:12 |
(Concerning) one whose hands are dyed: If it is only coloring with no substance to it,
it is not considered to be an intervening substance.
However, if it is at all substantial,
even to a slight extent,
it is considered to be an intervening substance. However, if he is a craftsman in that,
for instance, a painter (with paint on his hands),
and similarly a butcher
whose hands are covered with blood,
or a scribe
and his fingers are dirty from the ink
- since he is accustomed to this,
and most members of their profession
do not mind this
- these (substances) are not "an intervention",
unless it covers the majority of the hand. A person who has a wound on his hand
which is covered by a bandage
and it would cause pain if removed,
this is not "an intervening substance".
(See also Ch. 161
for the laws of "intervening substances"
for women immersing (in the mikvah).
The same principles apply to hand washing.)
|
| 40:13 |
The water must be poured over one's hands
by "human power."
In contrast,
(washing one's hands) in water which flows naturally
is not considered washing. With regard to a barrel with a spigot:
When the spigot is removed,
the water that is comes out from the initial pressure,
that is a gush (of water)
this first part alone is as from "human power."
However, the water which flows after it
is not considered as from "human power"
but as naturally flowing. Therefore, a person who wants to wash his hands
from such a spigot
must make sure that the first gush (of water)
covers the entire hand.
He should then plug the hole
and open it again
(to wash the other hand) with a second gush.
A person who cannot be sure about these things
should not wash his hands in this manner.
Surely,
one should not wash one's hands
from a basin with a small faucet (tap)
that has only a thin stream (of water). |
| 40:14 |
[Normally,] one may not eat (bread)
without washing (one's hands),
even if one wants
to wrap one's hands in a cloth.
A person on a journey
who does not have water,
but knows that within four millin* in front of him
or one mil behind him,
he will be able to find water,
must proceed the four millin
or go back the mil
in order to wash (his hands) to eat (bread).
However,
if also there
he will not find water,
or is travelling together with others
and is afraid to separate from them,
and similarly one who due to external forces
is prevented from washing his hands,
he may wrap his hands in a cloth
or put on "hand covers"
(gloves)
and eat (bread) like this. * {A mil is approximately a kilometer. See notes in Ch. 12:5.} |
| 40:15 |
One who relieves himself before eating,
(after which) one must wash one's hands
to say the blessing "Who created.."
and is also required to wash his hands
(in preparation) for eating,
there are some (halachic) doubts*. * {Among the halachic authorities about the course of action to follow in such a situation. One washing is not sufficient, because there will be an interruption between the washing and the appropriate blessings.}
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| 40:16 |
One who during a meal,
touched his body in (any usually) covered places,
or scratched his head,
or urinated,
is required wash his hands a second time.
However, without blessing over them.
Even if he defecated
and washed his hands during the meal,
he is not required to bless over the hand washing.* * {This follows the decision of the Shulchon Oruch HoRav 164:2. However, the Mishnoh B'rurah 164:13 quotes opinions which require reciting the blessing again.} |
| 40:17 |
One who eats food dipped in a liquid
or the liquid came over the food,
and it is still moist from the liquid,
even though he does not touch
the (moist) place (from the) liquid,
in any event must wash his hands first,
but not bless over the hand washing.
There are many who are lenient about this;
however, any G-d-fearing person
should be strict on himself. |
| 40:18 |
Only seven are considered liquids in this regard,
and they are:
wine - including also wine vinegar;
bee honey;
olive oil;
milk
- including whey;
dew;
the blood of an animal, beast,
or fowl (normally forbidden to eat or drink blood )
(except when taken for medical purposes);
(and) water. They (can be remembered by) the acronym
"Yad Shachat Dam" (from first letter of each name). However the rest - "Fruit Juices" -
even where it is customary to make
juices for drinking by squeezing fruits,
are not "liquids" with regard to this law. |
| 40:19 |
(Before eating) fruits preserved in sugar
hand washing is not needed.
Sugar is not considered a liquid;
and also the juice from the fruits
is not considered a liquid (in this regard)
but "Fruit Juices".
However, if they are preserved in honey, (then:) If the honey is well congealed,
it is no longer considered to be a liquid,
but rather a food,
and hand washing is not needed.
However, if it is not thoroughly congealed,
but has thickened slightly,
as long as it is still viscous,
hand washing is needed. Butter is considered as milk.
If it is congealed
it is not a liquid but a food.
However, if it has melted,
it is a liquid (and requires hand washing). |
| 40:20 |
Foods that are generally eaten
without a fork or spoon,
even if one eats them
with a fork or spoon,
require hand washing.
However, foods which are eaten only with a spoon
- e.g., pancakes or the like
- or fruits preserved in honey,
in places where it is customary not to eat them
except with a fork or spoon,
do not require hand washing. |
| 40:21 |
Everything made from water (like sea salt)
is considered to be water
(for water, even when it has become solid,
is always considered a liquid).
Therefore, one who dips radishes and the like
in this (sea) salt
must wash his hands (first). Alcoholic beverages made from grain
or from fruit
are not considered liquids in this regard,
for they are considered to be only juice
from the grain or from the fruit.
Even though they also contain water
and water is mixed with them,
in any case (the water) is the minority,
and so if one dips something into this and eats it
hand washing is not required. However, alcoholic beverages
made from grape peels
or seeds
or the dregs of wine
have the appearance of a liquid. |