Prayer and Blessings
If One Eats Bread Without Washing Hands, Should One Recite Birkat Hamazon?
Question
To the esteemed Rabbi, I recently began saying the morning blessings, but I do not always manage to say them in the morning. Sometimes I eat bread first and then I am unsure whether to recite Birkat Hamazon or first say the morning blessings and then Birkat Hamazon. Also, is it forbidden to say Birkat Hamazon if I did not wash my hands beforehand but still recited the blessing of Hamotzi? Of course, I try, but not always. I think I will not say Birkat Hamazon afterwards. Since I am newly observant, these things are not yet habitual for me, and I am not used to this routine. Thank you very much, honorable Rabbi.
Answer
Greetings,
1. You should first recite Birkat Hamazon, provided you are able to say the morning blessings before sunset.
2. Even if you did not wash your hands and you recited Hamotzi over the bread, you are still obligated to recite Birkat Hamazon as usual.
Wishing you much success, Hillel Meirs.
עברית
