Do you need to wash your hands after cutting toenails?

Hello,

One must wash one’s hands after cutting nails (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 4:18), and the same applies after cutting toenails (the Yaavetz, zt"l, in Migdal Oz - Aliyat HaTaharah, and Rabbi Chaim Naeh, zt"l, in Ketzot HaShulchan 2:11).

According to the letter of the law, it is enough to rinse the hands with water once, and one who is stringent to wash his hands three times with a vessel, may blessing rest upon him (see Mishnah Berurah 4:39, Ben Ish Chai, year 1, Parashat Toldot, letter 17, Kaf HaChaim, Orach Chaim 4:61, and Ohr LeTzion, part 2, chapter 1, section 15).

With blessing,

Hillel Meirs