Should one use a towel to wash upon awakening as is done when washing before bread?[1]

The current widespread custom amongst Chabad Chassidim is to wash the morning washing using a towel, just like is done when washing for bread.[2] Nevertheless, the towel is only used when washing the second time after the bathroom and not while washing the first time near the bed to remove the impurity.[3] If one will not be washing a second time then the towel is to be used when washing near the bed. There are Chassidim that do not follow the above custom of using a towel for the morning washing and only do so when washing for bread.

[1] Background of the custom of using a towel:

The first recorded source of washing using a towel dates back to the Rebbe Rashab. The Rebbe Rayatz stated in a Sicha that the form of washing for bread of the Rebbe Rashab differed from that of others, in the fact that he used a towel. [Likkutei Dibburim 1 p. 142; 4 p. 1346-1350] This however only related to washing for bread using a towel, while using a towel for the morning washing is not recorded to have been followed by the Rebbe Rashab or others at that time. Furthermore even washing for bread with a towel was a custom not practiced by all Chassidim and the Rebbe Rashab actually sanctioned some who took upon themselves this custom if they were not on the proper level. [Likkutei Dibburim ibid; Sefer Hasichos 1940 p. 82-83; 1944 p. 117; See Ishkavta Dirrebe p. 63] Nevertheless this custom regarding washing for bread with a towel eventually became widespread amongst all Chassidim, irrelevant of their spiritual level, and is hence to be followed by all. [Sefer Haminhagim p. 43 English; Sichas 14^th Kisleiv 1954 (Toras Menachem 10 p. 197); Hisvadyos 1983 Vol. 1 p. 584; Sefer Hasichos 1936 p. 98] Nevertheless there is no recorded source for doing so also when washing in the morning. Practically many Chabad Chassidim began to follow this custom also during the morning washing. Rav Yosef Simcha Ginzberg writes that they were accustomed to do so in Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim of Kfar Chabad. However regarding washing with a towel for the first washing near the bed Rav Levi Yitzchak Raskin writes “I have not seen this done although possibly some are particular to do so”. [Haaros of Rav Raskin on Siddur p. 6]

[2] So is the custom and so ruled Harav Mordechai Ashkenazi of Kfar Chabad; This is done in order to properly adhere by the law mentioned in Halacha 7J.

[3] So is the custom. Seemingly the reason for this is because the law mentioned in 7J that one must avoid touching the impure water of another hand only applies for the washing done with the blessing of Al Netilas Yadayim, which is the second washing. However when washing near the bed without the blessing, simply to remove the impurity, it is not necessary to abide by this restriction. Hence a towel is not needed, as the removal of impurity is not dependent on those regulations. [As explained in the previous Q&A and in Halacha 2 where the reason behind the washing was explained. The following is the explanation: The morning washing accomplishes two matters: 1. Removes impurity so that one is able to touch the orifices etc. for which no blessing is said. 2. Prepares for prayer like a Kohen for which the Sages instituted a blessing to be said. Being that we do not say a blessing on the first washing, as explained above, and one goes to the bathroom in-between, therefore the first washing only accomplishes the first matter of removal of impurity. Now, we do not find anywhere that to remove the impurity one must abide by all the laws mentioned regarding washing with a blessing. The only matter mentioned with regards to removing impurity is washing three times inconsecutively. Hence no towel is needed by the first washing.]