Netilas Yadayim -, Negel Vasser

OU Kosher

QUESTION: What is the reason for the requirement to wash one’s hands upon awakening (negel vasser)?

ANSWER: There are three reasons given:

  1. According to Rosh, we must wash our hands prior to davening since one’s hands are constantly in motion and invariably touched areas of the body which are normally covered (Mishnah Berurah 4:1).
  2. Rashba maintains that when one awakens from his nightly slumber, it is as if he was created anew. In order to thank Hashem for this, we must sanctify ourselves by washing our hands – like the Kohen in the Beis Hamikdash who sanctified himself by washing his hands before performing the avodah (Mishnah Berurah ibid.).
  3. When one sleeps, a ru’ach ra’ah (damaging spirit) descends upon the body. When we awaken, the ru’ach ra’ah remains on our hands until it is removed by the ritual of washing the hands three times, alternating between right and left (Zohar quoted in Beis Yosef O.C. 4; Shulchan Aruch 4:2 with Mishnah Berurah 4:8).

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