Why Do We Wash Netilas Yadayim Before We Eat Bread?

The requirement to wash one’s hands is rabbinical. Kohanim were required to wash their hands to purify them before eating or handling terumah (produce separated for the Kohanim). To ensure that Kohanim not overlook this practice, Chazal required them, as well as all of klal Yisroel, to wash their hands before eating “regular”, or chulin, bread. (Chulin, 106a) Although terumah is not eaten at this time, Chazal maintained this requirement, even in the diaspora, so that this halacha will remain familiar to us when the Bais Hamikdash is rebuilt (Aruch Hashulchan, 158: 2, 3).

Another basis for netilas yadayim is that we are enjoined to lead our lives with sanctity: “You should sanctify yourselves and be holy” (Vayikra, 20:7). The Gemara (Berachos, 53b) understands “you should sanctify yourselves” as referring to washing one’s hands before eating bread.

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.