What’s the Proper Procedure for Netilas Yadayim Before Eating Bread?

One should pour at least one revi’is (about four ounces), all at once, on the right hand, allowing water to flow over one’s entire hand, both the front and back and between the fingers (this can be done by simply rotating one’s hand). When water is plentiful the Mishnah Berurah writes that one should ideally pour a second time on the right hand (162:21). The cup should then be transferred to one’s right hand and this procedure should then be repeated for the left hand.

One should then rub one’s hands together, a process called shifshuf (Shulchan Aruch, 162:2), a practice Rav Belsky, zt”l felt is too often overlooked (Shulchan Halevi, chapter 3:1b)

One should then make the blessing al netilas yadayim and then dry them (Mishnah Berurah, 158:42).

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.