Chapter 2 – Washing Your Hands in the Morning

2.1 ) Do not go far before washing each morning.

2.2) Put on fringes upon rising. Do not walk more than four cubits (about six feet) without fringes. And, if you haven’t washed your hands, you must not say the benediction while putting your first garment on.

2.3) In the morning, wash in the following manner:  Spill water with your left hand onto your right hand, and then reverse this process three times for each side. Wash your hands up to your wrists. Next, wash your face in honor of the Creator “for in the image of G-d has he made the man.” Rinse your mouth because you must only mention the great Name in purity and cleanliness. Dry both your hands and face carefully.

2.4) Water used for washing must not be used for any other purpose because the evil spirit rests in it. Dispose of it away from others.

2.5) Before your morning hand-washing, you must not touch your mouth, nose, eyes, ears, anus, any kind of food, or any place where a vein is open because the evil spirit rests on your hands and is injurious to such places until they are washed.

2.6) Be careful to wash with clean water drawn with personal care. In case of emergency, you are permitted to wash your hands out of any vessel and in any kind of water, such as from a river or with melted snow. If water is not available, wipe your hands three times and say the benediction for cleansing (not washing) the hands. Afterwards, when water is found, wash your hands, but do not repeat the benediction.

2.7) Expel excrement and urine first thing each morning. Since most people take care of this shortly after rising, the best order to accomplish your hand-washing is: wash, use the bathroom, wash again, and say the proper blessings at the second washing.

2.8)  If you get up at night, should wash and then stay awake until dawn. Should you fall back asleep, or sleep about half an hour during the day, it is not necessary to wash your hands again; but, if you wash three times (as described above) do not pronounce the benediction.

2.9 ) You should wash after: a) waking from sleep, b) leaving the bathroom, c) cutting your nails, d) cutting or combing your hair, e) taking off your shoes, f) copulating, g) touching vermin, h) leaving a cemetery or leaving the dead, i) bloodletting, and j) touching private areas of your body.