The priests would wash their hands in the laver (“kiyor”) each morning before working in the Temple. What are the laws of the morning handwashing ritual?
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The first handwashing requires no blessing at all. Modeh Ani should certainly be recited upon awakening (prior to the handwashing) and the blessing should be recited after washing our hands for the second time. Hope that clarifies… On a side note; it's nice to see somebody showing interest from Norfolk – my birthplace!
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Should the hand washing beracha be said before Modeh Ani? I thought as soon as your awake you should say Modeh Ani thanking G-d for returning your soul.
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Siddur Tehilas Hashem translates “netilas” as “taking” by the beracha for the lulav but translates the same word as “washing” by hand washing.
1) Shouldn’t the beracha be “al netilas mayim”? After all, we are taking the water and we and we are not taking our hands. What is meant by saying “taking our hands”? We cannot take what we already have!
2) Why isn’t washing the hands included in the beracha? Shouldn’t it be “al netilas u’rechitzas yadayim” since the mitzvah is also to wash the hands because if one just takes water to fill the cup and does not wash, it is not correct? So why is the beracha only “al netilas yadayim” when taking the water is only part of the mitzvah?
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If you listen to the full lecture you will see that we don't wash our feet at all as a preparation for prayer today. The Kohanim in the Beit HaMikdash had to walk barefoot or their priestly service was rendered unfit. As such, it is clear that they were involved in the "avoda" with both hands and feet in the most literal sense. Ultimately whilst the general concept is lifted from Temple service the details are not identical. A case in point would be the fact that we don't wash from a "kiyor" but rather an ordinary tap etc. I hope this helps…
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When the priest washed, he washed hand and foot. What about the people of Yisrael today? Why don't they wash the hand and foot?
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My son has some questions on washing hands so listen to your lecture, very well done as always.
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Thanks Rabi M. Kapplan, morning hand-washing is new for me. Great teaching always.
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Rabbi Kaplan; thank you so much again for teaching us Torah in such a beautiful and interesting way; I look forward every week for these lectures. May G-d give you much joy for your work.
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