Halachot and Customs
Regarding one who leaves the restroom and wants to eat bread, how should he wash his hands
Question
It is written in Yalkut Yosef that if a person left the restroom and now needs to wash both for the restroom and for a meal, he should do one washing, alternating, and it will also count for the washing for the meal (and he should recite the blessing over this washing if he eats more than a kebeitzah). Is it correct to act this way? Because I have seen all kinds of opinions on the subject, and I am confused.
I am quoting the halacha:
"If one needed to relieve himself and wants to eat immediately, he should wash his hands alternately three times, and in this washing intend from the outset that he wants to eat, and he should recite the blessing over washing hands and dry them"
Answer
Peace and greetings,
This is how one should act:
Wash your hands and recite the blessing Al Netilat Yadayim. After drying your hands, recite the blessing Asher Yatzar, and afterward recite Hamotzi over the bread.
Sources: See Aruch HaShulchan (Siman 165, Se'if 2), who writes that this is the most proper way to proceed, and whoever follows this practice will walk securely on his path. Similarly, in Teshuvot VeHanhagot, Volume 1 (Siman 168), the author cites his teacher and mentor, the righteous Rabbi Moshe Schneider, zt”l, who testified that this was the practice of the Chafetz Chaim, zt”l.
It is also written in Dinim VeHanhagot (Chapter 6, Se'if 5) that this was the practice of the Chazon Ish, zt”l. Likewise, Orchot Rabbeinu, Volume 1 (page 78), states that this was the practice of Rabbi Y. Kanievsky, zt”l.
See also Shu”t Revavot Ephraim, Volume 7 (Siman 56, Ot 1). Additionally, see Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Siman 40, Se'if 15) and Halichot Shlomo, Volume 1 (Chapter 20, Se'if 26).
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
