Netilas Yadayim - Reason

QUESTION: Why do we wash netilas yadayim before we eat bread?

ANSWER: Washing hands before eating bread is a mitzvah miderabbanan (of rabbinic origin). Kohanim were required to wash their hands to purify them before eating or handling terumah (produce separated for the Kohanim). To ensure that Kohanim not overlook this practice, Chazal required them, as well as all of klal Yisroel, to wash their hands even before eating “regular,” or chulin, bread (Chulin 106a). Although terumah is not eaten in our times, Chazal maintained this requirement, even in the diaspora, so that this halacha will remain familiar to us when the Beis Hamikdash is rebuilt (Aruch Hashulchan 158:2, 3).

Another basis for netilas yadayim is that we are enjoined to lead our lives with sanctity: “You shall sanctify yourselves and be holy” (Vayikra 20:7). The Gemara (Berachos 53b) understands “You shall sanctify yourselves” as referring to washing one’s hands before eating bread.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.