Netilas Yadayim - Recessed Spout

QUESTION: The cup that I have for netilas yadayim has a recessed spout (the spout is lower than the rest of the rim). Can this be used for netilas yadayim?

ANSWER: The Mishnah Berurah (159:12) writes that this type of cup may be used for netilas yadayim, provided that you only pour water directly from the spout, which is the lowest spot, and not over any of the other sides. Because this utensil cannot hold water higher than the spout, according to many poskim, the rest of the rim of the cup is as though it is not there. Since netilas yadayim for bread must be poured from a cup, if water was poured over the rim, it would be as though the water did not come from the cup, and this would invalidate the washing. 

What if some of the water comes from the spout and some comes over the rim? This is especially an issue if you have a V shaped spout, such that the very center of the spout is the lowest spot. If you pour regularly out of the spout, most of the water will come from the sides which are higher. The Aishel Avrohom Buchach (159) writes that if a revi’is of water comes from the lowest spot, then even if some water comes over the rim which is higher, it is not a concern. Otherwise, one should not use this type of cup for washing. 

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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.