Netilas Yadayim - Cup Usage

QUESTION: Must a cup be used when washing netilas yadayim for bread?

ANSWER: Yes. The Magen Avrohom (159:1) explains that Chazal instituted the mitzvah of netilas yadayim based on the way the Kohanim would wash their hands in the Beis Hamikdash. Just as the Kohanim washed their hands with water from a utensil (the Kiyor), so too, when we wash for bread, we use a cup. The cup may be made from any material, so long as it holds a revi’is of water. The size of a revi’is will be discussed in the next Halacha Yomis.

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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.