Handwashing

HANDWASHING

Pour clean, fresh water two or three times over your dominant hand, then two or three times over your nondominant hand, then elevate your hands and recite the following blessing:

הוהי הָתּאַ ךוּרָבּ םָלוֹעָה ךֶלֶמ וּניֵהֹלֱא ויָתוְֹצִמְבּ וּנָשְׁדִּק רֶשֲׁא .םִיָדָי תַליִטְנ לַע וּנָוִּצְו Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, Majesty of the world, who has made us holy with Your commandments, and instructed us regarding [elevating] washing the hands.

Baruch Atah, Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech ha’olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav, vetzivanu al netilat yadayim.

THINK

Even something as simple and rote as washing your hands can become an elevated, spiritual experience. Ritual handwashing complements soap and water by adding an element of spiritual purpose, helping us make connections between the physical and the spiritual, between the body and the soul. Before we eat bread, we acknowledge this connection. The Hebrew word used in this blessing for the physical washing, netilah, also means elevating our hands, reminding us of the spiritual connection.

REFLECT

What are some of the actions or activities that awaken a spiritual spark in you? Perhaps it’s hiking or listening to music; maybe it’s yoga or taking a long, hot bath. How might you ignite that spark so that it expands and can be felt in a wider range of activities?

CONNECT

Handwashing is connected to eating bread. Why does Judaism offer so many guidelines around what, when, and how we eat? These mitzvot link the physical to the spiritual, the everyday to the holy, reminding us that while we have a body that we must nourish, the core of who we are is not our body, but our soul.

PERSONAL PRAYER

Dear God, please give me clarity of heart and spirit that aligns my actions and intentions with Your will. Help my behavior to reflect my pure soul’s desire for kindness and connection. Help me to display my sincere intention to bring light and comfort to those who depend on me for guidance and nurturing.

— Malka Herzfeld, Chicago, Illinois