DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 782 KB)
Mayim Acharonim- A Foul Spirit ?

It is commonly known that the Mayim Aharonim has a "Ruach Ra’ah"-foul spirit. The Shulhan Aruch (Siman 181) implies that this is only if the water reaches the earth-not carpet or flooring. That is why Maran states that one should not wash Mayim Aharonim over ground upon which people walk, since they may come to harm. The Levush (R. Mordechai b. Avraham Yoffe, 1530-1612, Europe), as cited by the Be’ur Halacha, maintains that the "Ruach Ra’ah" takes effect even if the water is poured into a vessel. According to him, one should immediately dispose of the water in the vessel so that nobody is exposed to it.

Hacham Ovadia is lenient and rules in accordance with Maran. Therefore, there is no problem to pour the Mayim Acharonim onto plates or into the sink, as long as they are washed off afterwards. This is opposed to the opinion that many sicknesses are due to people who eat from plates upon which Mayim Acharonim was spilled, even if they were later washed off. Someone who wants to be strict and only wash into disposable bowls or a special receptacle is praiseworthy, but there is no problem according to the letter of the law.

SUMMARY
One may pour Mayim Aharonim onto the floor under the table; likewise there is no problem pouring the water on dinner plates or in the sink, if he washes it afterward.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Non-Mevushal Wine Which is Moved or Touched by a Non-Jew (Summary)
May One give a Bottle of Non-Kosher Wine to a Non-Jew?
Is Rice Which is Cooked by A Non-Jew and then Dried-Out Permissible?
Treating Leftover Bread With Respect
An Explanation of Mevushal Wine
Wine Touched by Muslims Who Practice Monotheism
Cooking Dairy in a Meat Pot
The Prohibition of Poultry and Milk Together
The Prohibition of Meat and Milk Together
Kashrut: Deliveries of Fish
If a Non-Jew Pours a Cup of Wine, Does the Wine Remaining in the Bottle Become Forbidden?
If a Non-Jew Touched Kosher Wine Intentionally to Make it Forbidden; The Status of Wine Looked Upon by a Non-Jew
The Status of Kosher Wine That Was Mixed With Non-Jewish Wine
Under What Circumstances Does Wine Becomes Forbidden When it is Handled by a Gentile?
The Definition of Yayin Mebushal and the Status of Pasteurized Wine
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found