עברית
Halachot and Customs
How Many Times to Wash Each Hand for Netilat Yadayim?
Proper Procedure and Custom Regarding Washing Hands in the Morning and After Using the Restroom
Question
Honorable Rabbi, I have a question that confuses me greatly, regarding netilat yadayim both in the morning and after using the restroom. I have read in halachic books that it is permitted, yet some who see me doing so say it is wasteful, while others say it is very good because water is a blessing from Heaven. I wash four times, not three as is customary for many, which means I perform two netillot rather than one. Each netilah involves washing each hand twice. Thank you very much, Asaf.
Answer
Shalom and blessings,
According to strict halacha, it suffices in the morning netilat yadayim to wash each hand three times. However, the Gra of Vilna writes to be stringent and wash each hand a fourth time, in order to remove the impure water from the hand. (Mishna Berura, siman 4, se'if katan 10).
Since your custom is a stringency that has a source, you may continue your practice, and there is no concern of wasting water, as you do so for the sake of a mitzvah.
However, regarding the washing after using the restroom, there is no opinion that one should wash eight times, and six times suffices. (Halacha Berura, siman 7, se'if gimmel, and siman 4, se'if 49).
With blessing,
Menashe ben Porat
According to strict halacha, it suffices in the morning netilat yadayim to wash each hand three times. However, the Gra of Vilna writes to be stringent and wash each hand a fourth time, in order to remove the impure water from the hand. (Mishna Berura, siman 4, se'if katan 10).
Since your custom is a stringency that has a source, you may continue your practice, and there is no concern of wasting water, as you do so for the sake of a mitzvah.
However, regarding the washing after using the restroom, there is no opinion that one should wash eight times, and six times suffices. (Halacha Berura, siman 7, se'if gimmel, and siman 4, se'if 49).
With blessing,
Menashe ben Porat
