Netilas Yadayim - Beracha

QUESTION: When is the appropriate time to recite the brachah of al netilas yadayim in the morning?

ANSWER: A previous Halachah Yomis discussed a dispute between Rashba and Rosh regarding negel vasser. According to Rosh, we wash our hands in the morning to clean them for davening, whereas according to Rashba, we do it to sanctify ourselves like a Kohen in the Beis Hamikdash at the start of the day. The Chayei Adam (7:6) points out that this disagreement yields a practical difference regarding when to recite the beracha of al netilas yadayim. According to Rashba, we say the beracha when we first wash our hands in the morning, even if they will become unclean again before davening. However, according to the Rosh, one must wait to recite the beracha of al netilas yadayim until after using the bathroom just prior to davening. Since according to the Rosh, netilas yadayim is a preparation for davening, if after washing your hands in the morning they get dirty again, you will have to wash and recite the beracha again. Since this is a matter of dispute, if one already recited the beracha in the morning, it is not repeated when one washes again before davening. However, it is best to push off reciting the beracha until after using the bathroom just prior to davening to avoid this dispute.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.