One of the first laws discussed in the Code of Jewish Law is the obligation to wash your hands when you wake up in the morning.
What’s the reason behind this mitzvah? Why do we have to wash our hands? What is the proper procedure of washing?
Join me as we dive deep into the mitzvah of Netilas Yadayim, washing your hands in the morning, also discussing the general concept of ritual impurity as it applies across Judaism.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
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Sources:
Brachos 14b, washing as preparation for prayer – https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.14b.25?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Rabbeinu Asher, Berachos 9:23 – https://www.sefaria.org/Rosh_on_Berakhot.9.23.1?lang=en&with=all&lang2=en
Brachos 60b, washing as part of the waking up process – https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.60b.6?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Tshuvos HaRashba (responsa) Vol. I, #191 (Hebrew only) – https://beta.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14649&st=&pgnum=93&hilite=
Shabbos 108b, washing to remove impurities – https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.108b.13?lang=bi&with=Rashi&lang2=en
Zohar, part 1, 184:2, longer explanation of Shabbos 108b – https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.1.184b.3?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Code of Jewish Law, Mishnah Berurah 4:(1), first two reasons – https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Berurah.4?lang=bi
Code of Jewish Law, Mishnah Berurah 4:(8), third reason – https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Berurah.4.8?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Instructional video of washing your hands in the morning (1 minute) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAetGXuyVMU
