Netilas Yadayim - Non-Leather Shoes

QUESTION: Must one wash their hands if they touch non-leather shoes?

ANSWER: The Kaf Hachaim (554:73) quotes the ruling of the Ben Ish Chai, that even if one touches shoes made from fabric (or other manmade materials), one must wash their hands. Poskim explain that since these shoes are worn outside and step on all types of dirty surfaces, one who touches them must consider their hands dirty. Additionally, some poskim write that since after the sin of Adam the ground was cursed, shoes that walk outside on the ground convey a ruach ra’ah (harmful spirit) even if the shoes are not made of leather. However, Sefer Orchos Rabbeinu (Vol. 3, p. 186) writes that the Chazon Ish did not wash his hands after touching non-leather slippers. Apparently, these concerns do not apply to non-leather slippers, since they are only worn in the house. However, the Chazon Ish’s practice implies that leather slippers would require washing hands, because a leather slipper is considered a shoe.

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