Washing the Hands for Mayim Acharonim

Ask the Rov: How much of the hand do we wash for mayim acharonim?

By Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin – Rov of Anash in Petach Tikvah

The Gemara teaches there’s a mitzva to wash mayim acharonim because it’s inappropriate to bentch with dirty hands. Elsewhere, the Gemara records that it’s an obligation due to the danger involved with melach sedomis, a strong salt that could R”L cause blindness if it touches the eyes.1

Some rishonim note that this washing isn’t as relevant in post-Talmudic times since the strong salt of concern isn’t commonly used, and people aren’t as particular regarding food residue on their hands, removing its halachic “filth” status. Still, the Alter Rebbe concludes that a delicate person must wash his hands if the filth bothers him. Moreover, everyone should wash mayim acharonim based on its kabbalistic dimensions.2

The Mekubalim explain that Mayim Acharonim serves to give the sitra achra (the negative forces) their due portion, “appeasing” them so they don’t harm the person. Accordingly, some siddurim have the possuk, “Zeh cheilek adam rasha…” (This is the portion of the wicked one…) prior to the washing.3

The Gemara mentions that an evil spirit rests on the water if it lands on the earth. One should therefore wash into a utensil, or at least avoid washing over bare earth (as flooring is considered a separation).4 It is customary to remove the utensil with the used water from the table before bentching ( or to cover it).5

How much should be washed? Some rishonim say one must wash until the second joint on the fingers since that is where food residue reaches (when eating with one’s hands), while others hold one must wash the entire fingers until the palm.6 A third approach, following Kabbalah, is that one should minimize the amount of water used to minimize the “nourishment” given to the sitra achra.7

Although the Alter Rebbe rules to wash until the second joint based on the food residue reason,8 the minhag Chabad, as recorded in Hayom Yom, is to wash just the fingertips, and then pass them while moist over the lips.9 Some explain the disparity, that since the original reasons aren’t relevant in the present age, we follow the kabbalistic approach in order to limit the yenikas hachitzonim.10

See Sources (open PDF)

From The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash

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