Shulchan Aruch: Chapter 166 - Rulings Concerning Breaking Bread

SECTION 166 The Rulings Concerning Breaking Bread. (1)

1Our1 Sages’ statement2 that the meal should follow directly after washing one’s hands, means only that one should not involve himself in an activity that will cause him to divert his attention from the meal. This includes even blending a cup [of wine]3 over which [he desires] to recite Kiddush [on Shabbos or on a festival]4 with hot water. Doing so would requirecareful attention, not to pour too little or too much. This would be considered a diversion of attention from the meal and may not be done between washing one’s hands and the meal.5

The same law applies to other analogous activities. If, however, one sits idly and does not perform any deed that involves a diversion of attention, even though he waits a substantial amount of time, and even if he speaks somewhat, it is of no concern, since the table is [set] before him and he intends to eat. He may not, however, speak at length, lest this lead him to divert his attention. Therefore, it is permitted to recite Kiddush or Havdalah between washing one’s hands and [reciting] the blessing HaMotzi.6Our Sages’ statement7 that [the recitation of] the blessing should follow immediately after washing one’s hands applies [— not to washing before the meal — but] only to [reciting the Grace after Meals] after washing after the meal (mayim acharonim).

Other authorities maintain that one should be careful [not to make an interruption after] washing before the meal as one is with regard to washing after the meal, for [our Sages] said:8 Whoever recites the blessing directly after washing his hands will not suffer harm during that entire meal. This statement is specifically referring to the washing before the meal; it cannot be referring to the washing after the meal, since [the meal has already concluded].9 Therefore, one should be careful not to pause [between washing and eating], even for the amount of time it takes to walk 22 cubits.10 For this interval is deemed an interruption,11 even when one sits in his place. (Going from one house to another house is considered an interruption, even if one must walk only a minimal [distance].)12 Without a necessity, one should not interrupt even by waiting a short while [between washing and the recitation of the blessing HaMotzi. During this interval,] one may not speak,13 not even words of Torah, (nor may one recite a lengthy blessing14 that does not pertain to the meal, e.g., to recite Havdalah over wine).15 Needless to say, it is forbidden to speak of mundane matters. It is desirable to give weight to this opinion.

The caution [advised above] applies only regarding speaking about a particular issue or a matter [requiring more than a very minimal amount of words]. All authorities agree that merely uttering two or three words is not considered an interruption,16 even with regard to the washing after the meal,17 (since this does not involve a complete concept). How much more so is it permitted to respond “yes” or “no” when one is asked a question.

[Speaking about matters] regarding the meal and its needs is not considered an interruption, even between [the recitation of the blessing] HaMotzi and beginning to eat.18 How much more so does this apply between washing and [reciting the blessing of] HaMotzi! And of course, the delay due to drying one’s hands or walking from the place where one washed to the place of the meal is not considered an interruption, because it is necessary for the meal.19 As an initial preference, however, it is necessary to wash one’s hands close to the location of the meal if at all possible, just as all authorities agree that blending the wine of Kiddush with hot water must be performed before washing. Even though Kiddush is necessary for the meal, since it is possible to blend [the wine] before washing, [one is required to do so]. (It is permitted, even as an initial preference, to interrupt [in order to tend to] the needs of the meal between washing and [reciting the blessing] HaMotzi if one forgot to tend to them before washing, even though it is forbidden [to do so] between [the recitation of the blessing] HaMotzi and eating.)20

For the above reasons, a person who is accustomed to praying for his food before his meal, as related in the holy Zohar,21but who forgot to pray before washing may interrupt [and pray] between washing and [the recitation of the blessing] HaMotzi. People at large have adopted the custom of reciting the psalm: “A psalm of David: G‑d is my shepherd”22 between washing and [the recitation of the blessing] HaMotzi.23(It is possible to find a redeeming factor in their practice, since, at times, one’s hands are not clean before washing [and it would thus be inappropriate to recite the psalm at that time]. Since [the recitation of this psalm] is germane to the meal and is [therefore] not considered an interruption according to all opinions, leniency was granted regarding its recital so that one would not be required to take the trouble to be meticulous [and clean his hands so that] he can recite it with clean hands before washing.)