Netilas Yadayim - For Various Activities

OU Kosher

QUESTION: Aside from waking up in the morning, what other common activities necessitate washing hands?

ANSWER: Shulchan Aruch (OC 4:15-19) lists many other times that one is required to wash their hands; however, in these cases one does not recite a beracha. The list includes:

  1. Anytime one sleeps for more than 30 minutes
  2. Upon exiting a cemetery
  3. After cutting nails (fingernails or toenails). Kaf Hachaim (8:27) writes that one must wash hands even if one cut only one nail. However, if one cuts someone else’s nails, there is no need for the cutter to wash their hands.
  4. After taking a haircut or shaving
  5. After touching one’s shoes, feet or other parts of the body which might be sweaty
  6. After scratching one’s scalp
  7. Upon exiting a bathroom or shower room

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.