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...
The Depth of the High Holiday Liturgy
Rosh Hashana: If One Forgot Ya’aleh V’Yavo in Birkat HaMazon
Using Material From a Non-Kosher Animal for the Shofar
Rosh Hashanah – If One Forgot to Recite Ya’aleh Ve’yabo in Birkat Ha’mazon
Why Rosh Hashanah Can Fall Out on Only Certain Days of the Week
Rosh Hashanah – The Reciting of “Ayeh Mekom Kebodo” in “Keter”
Fasting on Ereb Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah – Eating Pomegranate
Rosh Hashanah – The Meaning of “U’dbarcha Emet Ve’kayam La’ad”
Rosh Hashana- Men Dipping In Mikveh On Erev Rosh Hashana
Customs Relevant to Food and Drink on Rosh Hashanah
The Reasons for the Misva of Shofar
Rosh Hashanah – The Proper Way to Blow the Shebarim and Shebarim-Teru’a; Kavanot During the Shofar Blowing
Rosh Hashana- Reciting "She'hecheyanu" on Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah – Changing the Parochet; Customs of the Night of Rosh Hashanah
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found