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...
Shabbat – Ensuring That the Countertop is Dry Before Putting Down a Hot Pot
Reheating Solid Food With Some Liquid on Shabbat
Is it Permissible to Eat Soup That Was Reheated on Shabbat?
Placing Cold Liquid Near the Stove on Shabbat
Placing a Raw Food Next to a Hot Food on a Plate on Shabbat
Can A Man or Woman Eat or Drink Prior To Kiddush On Shabbat Morning
Asking a Gentile to Write on One’s Behalf on Shabbat
Is It Permissible To Take Vitamins On Shabbat
Tying Knots on Shabbat-Basic Understandings of Restrictions and Permissions
Is It Permissible To Trap Pets in the House on Shabbat?
Is It Permissible To Eat A Meal Just Prior To Shabbat
Is It Permissible to Lace Shoes on Shabbat?
Is It Permissible to Set Up a Mousetrap on Shabbat?
May One Move a Garment on Shabbat if There is Money in the Pocket?
Is It Permissible To Cover A Pot with its Cover or Tin Foil or Other on Shabbat
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found