Touching clothing: [1]
One is to be stringent like the Zohar and avoid touching clothing prior to washing. [Thus one may not even put on his socks prior to washing.[2] See Halacha 7 regarding what to do if there is no water available.]
|
Q&A on touching clothing May one touch items other than his clothes prior to washing, such as his glasses or alarm clock? It is permitted for one to touch all items that were not listed above in the Shulchan Aruch. Thus one may turn off his alarm clock or put on his glasses prior to washing. However there are Poskim[3] which rule one is not to touch any item prior to washing and hence according to them one is to wash before touching his alarm clock or glasses.
May one place his Yarmulke on him prior to washing?[4] Yes.
May one put on clothing for modesty purposes prior to washing?[5] Yes.
If one woke up in the morning without Tzitzis, may one wear it prior to washing hands?[6] One is to first wash hands near his bed and then put on the Tzitzis.[7]
May one touch clothing without washing hands if he awakens in middle of sleep and intends to return to sleep right away?[8] This matter is subject to the same discussion mentioned regarding walking four Amos and itching oneself in middle of sleep-See there![9]
|
[1] Sefer Haminhagim p. 4 [English]; Kama 1:7 concludes that every G-d fearing Jew should be stringent like the Zohar. In Basra and Siddur Admur does not give an explicit ruling in the dispute between the Zohar and Talmud, although it is clearly implied that they rule like the Zohar, perhaps to an even greater degree than the Kama. [As in the Kama Admur limits the stringency to a G-d fearing Jew. However in the Basra and Siddur it is implied that all Jews are to follow the Zohar. Vetzaruch Iyun.] For this reason we did not write above [like the Kama] that specifically “a G-d fearing Jew” should follow the Zohar” as perhaps this now applies to all people, and so plainly writes Sefer Haminhagim ibid; See Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 54:17
Ruling of Admur in 46:2: Regarding that which is written in the footnotes of the new Shulchan Aruch Harav; Hiskashrus 623 p. 16 footnote 2 that Admur in Basra 4:2 and Kama 4:5-6 and 46:2 does not mention this stringency of not touching clothing, [and hence seems to imply we don’t need to keep it] this is because there it is giving the ruling of the Talmud, although based on Zohar Admur agrees one must be stringent. [See previous footnotes from Levushei Serud 8:1] Upashut, as that’s why he did not mention the other stringencies of the Zohar either! Upeleh Gadol that the above authors did not pay attention to this obvious difference and hence no leniency in the opinion of Admur can be learned from those sources.
[2] Ben Ish Chaiy Toldos 6
[3] Seder Hayom states: Prior to touching one’s clothing or any matter and item he is to wash his hands; Divrei Yatziv 1:2 states this was the custom of his grandfather the Divrei Chaim of Tzanz; Zechor Leavraham [of Toldos Aron] it states that the Toldos Aron would not turn off his alarm or wear his glasses until he washed. [See Piskeiy Teshuvos 4:5]
[4] Toras Chaim Sofer 1; Seder Hayom states: “After wearing one’s undershirt and covering oneself properly, prior to touching one’s clothing he is to wash his hands”.
Opinion of Admur: In 8:20 Admur mentions that one is allowed to place Tzitzis on him before washing in order not to walk 4 Amos without Tzitzis. Thus we see that at times getting dressed is allowed prior to washing if it is being done for the sake of a Mitzvah. However in truth no proof can be brought from this Halacha as it is going in accordance to the Talmud which permits touching clothing before washing. This is proven from the fact Admur there did not mention the prohibition of walking four Amos to reach the Tzitzis. [so also writes footnote 97 in new Shulchan Aruch Harav] In 8:1 Admur explicitly writes to first wash hands and then wear Tzitzis. Vetzaruch Iyun.
[5] Seder Hayom states: “After wearing one’s undershirt and covering oneself properly, prior to touching one’s clothing he is to wash his hands”; See previous footnote.
Other Opinions: Ateres Zikeinim 4:3 writes one is to slightly wash his hands prior to putting on the undershirt and then he is to wash himself three times properly.
[6] Admur 8:1; Tur 8:1; Levush 8:1; M”A 8:1; Kaf Hachaim 8:1
Opinion of Admur in 8:20: In 8:20 Admur mentions that one is allowed to place Tzitzis on him before washing in order not to walk 4 Amos without Tzitzis. Thus we see that at times getting dressed is allowed prior to washing if it is being done for the sake of a Mitzvah. However in truth no proof can be brought from this Halacha as it is going in accordance to the Talmud which permits touching clothing before washing. This is proven from the fact Admur there did not mention the prohibition of walking four Amos to reach the Tzitzis. [so also writes footnote 97 in new Shulchan Aruch Harav] Vetzaruch Iyun.
[7] The reason: The reason it is worn after Netilas Yadayim is so he can say the blessing upon wearing it. [Kaf Hachaim 8:1] Alternatively, the reason is because it is forbidden to touch clothing prior to washing hands. [P”M 8 A”A 1; Kaf Hachaim ibid; See Admur Kama 1:7; Basra 1:7; Siddur]
[8] Mishmeres Shalom Kudinav 1:3; Ashel Avraham Butchach 4 “Behanal Odos”; Piskeiy Teshuvos 1:6;
[9] To note however from Ben Ish Chaiy Toldos 15 which although is particular to not allow itching in middle of sleep he allows doing so through a clothing. Thus we see he treats touching clothing in middle of sleep as less severe than touching the orifices. So rules also Piskeiy Teshuvos 4:5; However from Mishmeres Shalom ibid it is clear that he is stringent even regarding this matter.