Hello,
I’ve had for many years many issues with the mitzvah of Netilat Yadayim in the morning and in general. I read your document about Netilat Yadayim for bread, but I still have many questions about the topic. It’s incredible how something so simple became full of stringencies, commentaries and rituals based on Kabbalah, superstitions, etc. But well, let me go to my questions.
- I understand that from straightforward Halakhic view to study Torah, to say blessings and to recite the Shema you need to have clean hands (but not a need of going for water nor vessel nor bracha), just in the case of the Amidah you need to look for water but for any of the prayers (Shacharit, Mincha, Arvit) you don’t require a vessel nor to recite the blessing, just to wash under the faucet, correct?
- Afer using the toilet you just wash your hands as usual and you don’t need to use a vessel nor to say a bracha, right?
- As far as I understand, from the letter of the law, the only time that you actually require to wash your hands with a vessel and recite Netilat Yadayim is for eating bread, isn’t it? I was told by a Sephardic Rabbi that in true, if you wake up and you just wash your hands after using the toilet as usual, that washing under the faucet may count as Netilat Yadayim for the purpose of bleesings, prayer, Shema, etc. You don’t recite the bracha of Netilat because I didn’t use the vessel. I can after this go and do it with a vessel and recite the bracha of course, but technically the washing is for cleanness and was already accomplished.
- By reading the laws of Netilat Yadayim from S”A, it seems that you can recite the blessing of Netilat Yadayim before washing with a cup, as many Yemenites does and like the Rambam mentioned, if you have clean hands. What is your opinion on this?
Yes—exactly. Much of what passes today as “Kabbalistic” ritual or practice is coming from the wrong place. Our focus should be on the 613 mitzvot and the basic halachot. Only after a person has firmly grounded themselves there does it become appropriate—if at all—to move into lifnim mishurat hadin, such as prishut, chassidut, or deeper Kabbalistic practices. Those levels reflect exceptional spiritual maturity.
This is precisely the structure of Mesilat Yesharim: steady growth, in order, with no shortcuts. Until then, the correct path is to adhere carefully to the core laws and obligations.
I believe your intentions are sincere. That said, much of what is marketed today as chassidut or Kabbalah is driven by ego and performative piety rather than genuine inner work. These pursuits often distract from the real avodah, which is refining one’s character traits. The mitzvot and halachot exist primarily to accomplish that goal.
There is no bypass, no shortcut, and no cosmetic route to holiness. Any attempt to leap over the work is ultimately an illusion.
Thank you for the thoughtful questions. Different communities and sources approach these laws in different ways, and all of that has a place.
On a personal level, I try not to put much emphasis on hand-washing details beyond what is strictly necessary. I’ve found that focusing too heavily on these areas can sometimes distract from the main goal of Torah and mitzvot, which is developing a genuine, calm connection to Hashem.
From the straightforward halachic perspective, having clean hands is sufficient for Torah study, berachot, Shema, and tefillah. Beyond that, my main encouragement is to invest energy in meaningful prayer and learning—especially Tanakh—in ways that bring clarity, closeness, and peace.
Thank you for the clarity of your answer.
So, basically I can wake up in the morning, without the need to have a washing cup under my bed nor without need to worry about the different Kabbalistic ideas around Netilat (ruach ra’ah, 4 amot, etc.) and just go to the bathroom as usual, wash my hands with soap under the facuet and then go to the kitchen sink and then recite the blessing, wash with a cup and say the morning blessings, right? And if I need to use the bathroom again before my morning Tefillah I can just clean my hands under the faucet without any blessing nor cup, correct?