DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 754 KB)
Washing One's Hands Before Kiddush on Friday Night

On Friday night (or the night of Yom Tov), we generally begin the meal by reciting Kiddush, after which we wash our hands and then recite the Beracha over bread. In some situations, however, people might prefer washing their hands before the recitation of Kiddush. On Sukkot, for example, it may be difficult to bring everybody back from the Sukka into the house after Kiddush for Netilat Yadayim, and some families therefore prefer having everybody first wash their hands before entering the the Sukka for Kiddush. This is common also at affairs held on Shabbat, where people might not want to leave their seats for Netilat Yadayim after Kiddush. What is the proper procedure to follow in such a case?

The Shulchan Aruch writes explicitly (271:12; listen to audio for precise citation) that if one washes his hands before reciting Kiddush, then he must recite Kiddush over bread. By washing one's hands before Kiddush, he demonstrates that he considers the bread primary to the wine, and he must therefore recite the Beracha over the bread before reciting the Beracha over the wine. He therefore recites Kiddush over the bread, and may not first recite Kiddush over wine.

One may, however, listen to the recitation of Kiddush over wine, and answer "Amen," after washing his hands. Therefore, if everybody at a meal washed their hands before Kiddush, with the exception of one person who did not, he should recite Kiddush over wine on behalf of the others, who should answer "Amen" and then recite the Beracha over the bread. (Menuhat Ahava, Helek 1, page 143.)

Summary: Generally speaking, one recites Kiddush on Friday night (or the night of Yom Tov) before washing his hands for bread. If somebody washed his hands before reciting Kiddush, he should either listen to the recitation of Kiddush over wine by somebody who had not washed his hands, or recite Kiddush over bread.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Determining the Yartzeit of Somebody Who Passed Away During Adar Rishon
How to Determine the First Yartzeit During a Leap Year
When Should A Mourner Begin To Sit Shiva If Remaining Out Of Town Away From The Place of The Funeral and Burial
Is It Permissible To Place Memorial Tomb Stones At The Graves of Tzadikim
Visiting A Grave Twice In One Day, and Reciting A Pasuk At A Grave
Yichud- (Series Conclusion) Can A Stranger Be Alone With A Mother And Daughter
Yichud- Is It Permissible For A Man and Lady To Be Alone In The Back of A Limousine or Ambulance
Yichud- How The Laws of Yichud Apply In An Office
Yichud- Can A Young Boy's Presence Protect Against Yichud
Yichud- Can A Young Girl Also Protect Against Yichud As A Wife Does Through The Leniency of ‘Ishto Imo’
Yichud- Some Questions and Exceptions On ‘Ishto Mishamarto’- (The Leniency When A Wife is With Her Husband)
Yichud- Is It Permissible For A Lady To Be Alone With A Male Doctor
Yichud- Is It Permissible for A Man and A Woman To Be Secluded In A Car
Yichud- Is It Permissible To Ride In An Elevator Alone A With A Lady
Yichud- Can An Unmarried Female Baby Sitter Be Alone Watching Young Boys
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found