Today's Halachos are sponsored by a daily reader, M.B., in merit of a speedy Refuah Shelaima for his father Asher Ben Taji. May he and all the Cholim of Klal Yisroel experience health and well being B'Karov!
1)The proper procedure for washing for Netilas Yadayim is as follows:
The washing cup should be held in the right hand, filled with water, and then transferred to the left hand. The right hand should then be washed [twice]. The cup should then be transferred to the right hand, filled with water, and the left hand should then be washed [twice]. (Mogen Avraham in introduction to Siman 158. Also brought in the Siddur Ya'avetz and in the name of the Gaon of Vilna)
A left handed person should also follow the above procedure, and wash his right hand first. (See Mishna Berura Siman 4:22)
Similarly, if one's hands are being washed by someone else, the right hand is washed first as well. (See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 3 Siman 32)
2) The hands may be washed either into a utensil [or sink] or onto the ground, as there is no problem of "Ruach Ra- impure spirit" with this water [unlike by Negel Vasser where it may not be poured on the ground.] This is common when washing for bread at a picnic or other outdoor venues, when no sink or receptacle is available to wash into. (Shulchan Aruch HaRav Siman 162:16)
According to some opinions [based on the Arizal], Netilas Yadayim [and the Bracha of "Al Netilas Yadayim"] must be done while standing. According to other opinions, this isn't necessary. (See Mogen Avraham beginning of Siman 8 that standing isn't necessary. The Ya'avetz maintains that one should stand. See also Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 1 Siman 171. )
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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:
Is one allowed to eat in a home of a family member who thinks he/she is frum {religious}and I know for a fact they do not necessarily tovel all of their utensils (and even if they said they did, they had left a sticker on the utensil, so I know it wasn't done Halachically)?
It's [a close relative] , so we kind of don't have a choice sometimes.
My Answer:
Well, if you are not 100% sure that the food you will be eating is 100% Kosher according to your standards, you may not eat the food.
regarding the utensils, if they havent been toveled, you may not eat off of them. You must either use paper dishes, or lift the food (if it's kosher of course) off the plate and eat it from your hands.
When it comes to doing what Halacha mandates, we can not say "we have no choice" and must follow the guidelines of the Torah, even at the expense of feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable etc.
It woud be best to tactfully try and explain to them the basic halachic requirements of Tevilas Keilim etc. in the hopes that they will be willing to learn and change.
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 )
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