Today's Halachos have been sponsored by an anonymous reader, in memory of all those who perished and went through the holocaust. Hashem Yinkom D'Meyhem.
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) The hands should be totally dry before washing for Netilas Yadayim. (Even though, from the Mishna Berura 162:49 it seems that if a full Revi'is is used to wash the hands, as is usually the case today, it isn't necessary to start with dry hands, many Poskim disagree, including the Ba'al HaTanya, The Chazon Ish, the Malbim in Artzos HaChaim and others. Therefore it is worthwhile to be stringent with this, as according to these Poskim you are not Yotzei if the hand is even a drop wet.)
2) The water must be poured over the entire hand until the wrist (opinion of many Rishonim, brought in Mishna Berura 161:21 where he says it is important not to be lenient with this Halacha)
It is important to be sure that the water touches every spot on the hand, the entire length and breadth of every finger. It is good to raise the hands upwards after washing to ensure that the water does indeed flow back down onto every part of the fingers and hand. (See Pri Megadim 162:7 that if even one small spot was missed, it's worse than a Chatzitza and the washing is not valid. See also Kaf HaChaim 162:43. We will see more about raising the hands while washing next week iy"H)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) It is praiseworthy to use an abundance of water for Netilas Yadayim and not to fill the cup sparingly, as to ensure that the washing will conform to the aforementioned requirements. (See end of Biur Halacha Siman 162 Dibur Hamaschil V'Ra'U Linhog)
In extreme situations (B'Sha'as haDchak, if there isn't enough water, if one has a wound on his hand which can't get wet or similar scenarios) the hands may be washed only until the [second] knuckles (as there are Rishonim who maintain that this is always the shiur for Netilas Yadayim. See Mishna Berura 161:21) The above leniency is only if the hand is otherwise clean. However if the hand is dirty or soiled, according to all opinions it must be washed in its entirety in order to be a valid Netilas Yadayim ( See Mishna Berura 161:22) 2) L'Chatchilah, each hand should be washed twice; once to remove the Tumah, impurities, from the hand and a second time to remove the initial water that became impure as soon as it made contact with your impure hands.
However, M'Ikar HaDin, according to the letter of the law, if a Revi'is of water was poured over the hand at one time, it does not become impure and it suffices for Netilas Yadayim with that one washing. It is still best to be stringent and wash each hand twice. ( See Aruch HaShulchan 162:9 and Sha'ar Hatzion 162:18)
If one uses the amount of water that would suffice for two washings, and pours it all on his/her hand at once it is considered like he/she washed twice. This is L'Chatchilah according to many Poskim, though a small separation should be made while the water is being poured, so it should seem like two separate flows of water , and there are Kabalistic reasons to have "two" washings per hand besides the Halachic reasons, which in this case wouldn't apply. (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 162:2. The Kaf HaChaim 162:2 writes that "Al Pi Sod" it is required to wash 3 times each hand whenever one washes their hands.
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QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and my Answers. Taken from the Q & A page on the Halacha For Today website. For study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha. Questions can be emailed to Halacha For Today)
Reader's Question:
Wet Perforated papers, i.e. Baby wipes, is it mutar(permitted) on Shabbos to gently separate/tear it?
My Answer:
To tear paper, wet or dry, is Asur (prohibited) on Shabbos. Tearing on the perforations is much worse than tearing in another spot. If one is in a situation on Shabbos where he must rip toilet paper, he/she must do so NOT on the perforations. (Regarding the use of wet baby wipes on Shabbos it depends on how wet they are. please consult a Rav before using them)
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
