Netilat Yadayim: Ritual Handwashing
Informative Articles & Videos
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Why Do We Wash Our Hands Before Eating Bread?
This short post explains the biblical origins behind the ritual hand-washing before bread, which is based on the ancient purity
Hand-Washing & Silence on Shabbat
This home video explores the custom of refraining from speaking between washing one’s hands and making the blessing over the bread.
Why Do We Not Speak Inbetween Washing Our Hands and Eating Bread?
In this clear video, Orthodox Rabbi Simon Harris of Wembley United Synagogue describes the halachic development of the custom of
OneTable Shabbat Dinner Guide
Created by OneTable, a grassroots organization whose goal it is to help people enjoy Shabbat dinners together, the guide (39 pages) to
Washing for a Meal: The Practical, The Philosophical & The Mystical
In these three long video lectures, Chabad Rabbi Mendel Kaplan breaks down the mitzvah of Netilat Yadayim at mealtime, with an
The Origins of Ritual Hand-Washing In Jewish Thought
In this excerpt, Chaviva Gordon-Bennett provides an overview of the origins and significance of the different Jewish hand washing rituals, including washing the
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Customs
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The Blessing for the Ritual Handwashing
This image provides the Hebrew, English and transliterated text of the blessing for the ritual washing of the hands before
Do We Wash Each Hand Two or Three Times?
This short post describes the different halachic opinions regarding how many times one must wash each hand when performing the
Printable Hand Washing & Hamotzi Guide
This simple one-page card from Aish.com provides the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the blessings for the ritual washing
The Shabbat Project: Sephardic Hand Washing & HaMotzi Guide
This two-page resource includes a detailed step-by-step guide explaining how to fulfill the ritual washing of the hands and the blessing
OneTable Shabbat Dinner Guide
Created by OneTable, a grassroots organization whose goal it is to help people enjoy Shabbat dinners together, the guide (39 pages) to
Traditional Practices - Learn How
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Moishe House: Friday Night Shabbat Rituals
This less than 5 minute long animated video introduces the basic Shabbat rituals performed on Friday night, including the candle lighting ceremony,
How to Wash Hands Before Eating Bread
This short animated video demonstrates how to perform the ritual hand-washing prior to eating bread, including a slow, clear recitation
Blessing for Washing Hands: Al Netilat Yadayim
This short, interactive video introduces the basics of the ritual hand-washing before eating bread, including a slow, clear recitation of
Ritual Hand-Washing Upon Waking vs. Before Eating Bread
This short home video compares the different customs of washing one’s hands after waking up and before eating bread. Although
A Detailed Halachic Guide to Hand-Washing
This lengthy, detailed article explains the different halachic explanations and requirements for the various hand-washing rituals in Judaism, concluding with
Let’s Learn T’fillah: Netilat Yadayim
This short, interactive, animated video demonstrates how to recite the ritual hand-washing blessing, including a brief introduction and the Hebrew
How To: The Ritual Hand Washing and Blessing Over the Bread on Shabbat
This short instructional video, part of The Jewish Living Series of Perelman Jewish Day School, provides a detailed explanation of the ritual
Printable Hand Washing & Hamotzi Guide
This simple one-page card from Aish.com provides the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the blessings for the ritual washing
The Shabbat Project: Sephardic Hand Washing & HaMotzi Guide
This two-page resource includes a detailed step-by-step guide explaining how to fulfill the ritual washing of the hands and the blessing
An Introduction: The Ritual Washing of the Hands
This short article offers a brief introduction to the origins of hand-washing rituals in Judaism, as well as a practical
Hand-Washing Before a Meal: A Basic Guide
In this short instructional video, an American Conservative rabbi offers a presentation of how to wash one’s hands before eating bread.
Hand-Washing Before a Meal: A Detailed Guide
In this video, Rabbi Joel Finkelstein outlines the circumstances in which one is required to perform the ritual hand-washing before a
Rabbi Sacks: An Introduction to the Ritual Hand Washing Before a Meal
Produced by the United Synagogue, an Orthodox British organization committed to helping young adults live observant Jewish lives, this practical
A Practical Guide to Washing Hands Before a Meal (Hebrew)
In this exclusively Hebrew video produced by Yahaduton, a YouTube channel that provides instructional videos for Israelis looking to learn
Washing for Bread: Symbolism, How To, FAQ & Reflections
In this article, Lori Palatnik explains the deep symbolism behind the hand-washing ritual and provides a straight forward guide as
Hand-Washing before a Meal 101
This colloquially-written, point-form article shares the basics of the ritual hand-washing that takes place prior to eating bread at any meal,
Ritual Hand-Washing: A Clear Explanation
This brief yet thorough article clearly explains the origins and directions for the ritual of washing hands prior to eating bread at
OneTable Shabbat Dinner Guide
Created by OneTable, a grassroots organization whose goal it is to help people enjoy Shabbat dinners together, the guide (39 pages) to
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Music
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The Singing of the Hand Washing Blessing
This 20 second audio recording presents the blessing for the ritual hand washing sung to a tune, followed by the
Al Netilat Yadaim Children’s Song
This catchy children’s song was composed by Yisroel “Erik” Ilyayev to give kids an easy way to remember the words
The Hand Washing Song: A Catchy Camp Song
This short video presents a fun, catchy song about the ritual handwashing before eating bread. Performed by Yakov Fleischmann, the
What else?
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Hand-Washing Blessing in ASL
This video demonstrates how to sign the ritual hand-washing blessing in American Sign Language, which is especially helpful for those who
Ritual Hand-Washing Meditation
In this short meditative practice, June Kozak Kane suggests intentions which one can ponder while performing the ritual hand-washing in
Ritual Hand-Washing Upon Waking vs. Before Eating Bread
This short home video compares the different customs of washing one’s hands after waking up and before eating bread. Although