521. Washing Upon Returning

Brachos 7:7

An attendant who serves the diners should not eat with them. As an act of kindness, one should permit him to sample the dishes in order to sate his curiosity. If the diners give him wine, he should recite a bracha over each cup. This is because his ability to drink depends on their good graces rather than on his own desires.

Brachos 7:8

If one of the diners goes out to urinate, he need only wash one hand before returning. [Editor’s note: Obviously, this does not conform to modern sanitary protocol.] If he converses with a friend and therefore remains outside for an extended period of time, he must wash both hands before returning. If the group is sitting and drinking, he should enter, sit in his place, wash his hands, then turn to face the others. The reason he washes in his place is so that the others will not think that he didn’t wash his hands since they’re not eating bread.