May one place his feet on the ground prior to washing?[1]
One[2] is to beware from placing his feet on the ground prior to washing hands.[3] Likewise one is to beware from standing, even on his bed, prior to washing.
[1] Mishmeres Shalom 1:2 in name of Igara Diparka 9 which writes this custom in the name of Rav Zusha of Anipoli; Darkei Chaim Veshalom 1; Mentioned also in Shulchan Hatahor 1:2; Ashel Avraham Butchach 4 “Behanal Odos”: “I found in Sefarim that one is to wash hands prior to getting out of bed”; Piskeiy Teshuvos 1:7
[2] Mishmeres Shalom mentions this as a custom of Tzaddikim. Practically today this custom is followed by many and so is written in Igara Diparka in name of Rav Zusha as a general warning for the public.
[3] Placing the feet on the ground prior to washing can cause one to have a bad day in terms of that his animal soul will persecute him and try to seduce him to sin. This is hinted to in the verse “Yisyatzeiv Al Derech Lo Tov” [He stands on a bad road] and will thus not despise evil. [Rav Zusha ibid] These words which were said with Ruach Hakodesh do not need any support. Nevertheless as a possible reason for the severity one can explain it is because placing one’s feet on the ground and standing allows the evil spirit to “stand” and become grounded and hence the evil inclination receives extra power. [Igara Diparka ibid brought in Mishmeres Shalom ibid]
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