From the Rav’s Desk – Q&A’s on Davening and more

What is the law if one who traveled to the Diaspora forgot to say Visein Tal Umatar between the 7th of MarCheshvan and the 5th of December?

If one forgot to mention it between the 7^th of MarCheshvan and the 5^th of December while in the Diaspora, he is not required to repeat Shemoneh Esrei.^[1] This applies even if he traveled to the Diaspora after the 7^th of MarCheshvan. However, some Poskim[2] suggest that he should Daven again as a Tefilas Nedava.

[1] Divrei Yatziv 1:68; Minchas Yitzchak 10:9; Yechaveh Daas 1:73; Piskeiy Teshuvos 117:3 [see there footnote 29 that some suggest Davening again as a Nedava]

The reason: As some Poskim [Birkeiy Yosef 117:5 in name of Maharaz Guto and Mahari Malko 67 and many other Gedolim in negation of Radbaz and Peri Chadash ibid; Dvar Shmuel 323; Kesher Gudal 16:13; Shalmei Tzibur p. 129; Beis Oved 2; Beir Chaim 5 [of Rav Shmuel Vital]; Chesed Lealafim 117:14; Makor Chaim 117; M”B 117:5; Ketzos Hashulchan 21:10; Rebbe in Likkutei Sichos 19:464; See Birur Halacha 117:1; Rivivos Efraim 4:255] rule a traveler is to always follow the area that he is currently in irrelevant of when he plans to return, and hence he begins to recite Vesein Tal Umatar on the 7th of MarCheshvan.  Accordingly, we rule Safek Brachos Lihakel. [Poskim ibid]

[2] Betzel Hachochma 1:62; Beir Moshe 7:117

From the letter of the law, a single washing suffices. Nonetheless, the custom of many, and so was the custom of the Rebbe, is to wash each hand three times inconsecutively, just as we do in the morning upon awakening, even though from the letter of the law, a single washing suffices.

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[1] See Siddur Admur Letter 10-11 [in Hearos of Rav Raskin] that a single washing suffices; Piskeiy Teshuvos 4:3; 92:7

Is one to be particular to wash his entire hand up until his wrist before Davening or does simply washing the fingers suffice?^[1]

One is to only required to wash his hands up to his knuckles and not his wrist[2], and so was witnessed to be done by the Rebbe on many occasions in which he was not particular that the water cover his entire hand. Nonetheless, many are accustomed to wash the entire hand, up until the wrist, just as we do when washing for bread or in the morning.[3] In addition, even one who only washes his fingers is to leave some water in his palm and then rub the hands together with the water.[4]

[1] See Siddur Admur Letter 10-11 [in Hearos of Rav Raskin] that a single washing suffices; Piskeiy Teshuvos 4:3; 92:7

[2] Siddur Admur Letter 10-11; Admur Basra 4:1 and 613:2; Rambam Tefila 4:2; Michaber 613:2; See Admur 161:8; Seder Netilas Yadayim Seuda Halacha 1

[3] Piskeiy Teshuvos 4:3; 92:7

[4] Siddur Admur Letter 10-11; Admur Basra 4:1; See also Admur 162:8; Seder Netilas Yadayim Seuda Halacha 4