How many times is one to wash hands after leaving the bathroom?[1]
Although from the letter of the law washing one time suffices[2], the custom is to wash one’s hands three times inconsecutively[3] after using the bathroom.[4]
One who entered the bathroom and did not use it: It is not necessary to be stringent to wash one’s hands three times after leaving the bathroom if one did not use it.[5] Nevertheless, some Poskim[6] write that one who does so is blessed.
[1] See M”A 7:1; Elya Raba 4:12; P”M 4 A”A 17; Machatzis Hashekel 17; Soles Belula 7:1; Olas Tamid 4; Ben Ish Chaiy Toldos 16; Kaf Hachaim 4:61; Ketzos Hashulchan 2 footnote 29; Minchas Yitzchak 5:96
Background: The Magen Avraham 7:1 brings the Heichal Hakodesh who writes one is to wash his hands three times inconsecutively upon leaving a bathroom. The Magen Avraham, however, disproves the implication used from the Zohar to support this opinion. So rules also Soles Belula 4:14 and Machazik Bracha 4:6 that according to the Makor Chaim [student of Rav Chaim Vital] one is not required to wash three times. So also rules Seder Hayom. Admur clearly rules that one is not required to wash three times and does not even mention the dissenting opinion brought in the M”A. Nevertheless, the custom today has become to follow this dissenting opinion and wash the hands three times, and so concludes the Machazik Bracha ibid that he witnessed the elderly scholars washing three times. So also rules Kaf Hachaim 4:61
Opinion of M”B: The M”B 4:39 records that the M”A disproves the ruling of the Heichal Hakodesh to require washing three times.
Custom of Rebbe Rashab: The Ishkavta Dirrebbe states that when the Rebbe Rashab fell ill he would wash his hands three times inconsecutively after a bowel movement and one time after urinating. [See Ishkavta Dirrebbe p. 16]
[2] Admur Kama 4:18; M”A 4:17; Seder Hayom; Kneses Hagedola; Machazik Bracha 4:6 and Soles Belula 4:14 according to the Makor Chaim [student of Rav Chaim Vital]; Nimukeiy Orach Chaim 4:2; Regarding the opinion of the Makor Chaim, quoted in many Poskim, there is a dispute as to whether he holds one is to wash three times or one time suffices. [See Kaf Hachaim 4:61]
Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule that one is required to pour three times on his hand just like is required upon awakening in the morning. [Magen Avraham 7:1 in name of Heichal Hakodesh; Olas Tamid; Shlah Shaar Haosiyos 9; Lev Chaim 1:63; Kaf Hachaim [Falagi] 7:26; Ruach Chaim 4:3; Chesed Lealafim brought in Kaf Hachaim 4:61; Kaf Hachaim 4:61 concludes that one who is stringent to wash three times after all the above actions is holy.
[3] Ben Ish Chaiy Toldos 16; Kaf Hachaim 4:62; Ketzos Hashulchan 2 footnote 29; Halichos Shlomo 20 footnote 86; See M”A 4:18 in name of Seder Hayom that after the bathroom one should wash immediately, like in the morning.
Other Opinions: Shulchan Hatahor 6 writes it suffices to pour three times consecutively on each hand. See Piskeiy Teshuvos 4 footnote 165
[4] Elya Raba 4:12; P”M 4 A”A 17; Machatzis Hashekel 17; Soles Belula 7:1; Olas Tamid 4; Ben Ish Chaiy Toldos 16; Kaf Hachaim 4:6; Ketzos Hashulchan 2 footnote 29; Minchas Yitzchak 5:96; All Poskim in other opinion in pervious footnote;
[5] Piskeiy Teshuvos 4 footnote 171 being that regarding today’s bathrooms there is a dispute if at all they have a status of a place of impurity.
[6] Ben Ish Chaiy Toldos 16; Ruach Chaim 3:3