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May one wash for bread in a different area than the meal?[1]

• Example: We do not have a sink in our living room. Can we wash for bread in the kitchen? What if the kitchen or nearest sink is in two totally separate areas of the house, or on different floors? What if the washing area and area of meal are in two different buildings? What if the washing area is outside the building?

*Important note: The below law only applies regarding washing for bread during the week, or on Shabbos but not directly after Kiddush, however, whenever one is washing for bread in order to fulfill Kiddush Bemakom Seuda, the laws of changing areas are more severe, as elaborated on in a separate article.[2]

Introduction-Making a Hefsek between washing and Hamotzi:[3]

The debate: Some Poskim[4] rule that it is permitted to make an interval between washing and Hamotzi, so long as one does not remove his mind from the washing and guarding of his hands [i.e. Hesech Hadaas]. However, other Poskim[5] rule that it is forbidden to make an interval between washing and Hamotzi, even if one will guard his hands in the interim. Practically, we rule like this latter opinion.[6]

The definition of an interval:[7] [According to the stringent opinion, of which we rule like] an interval is defined as a delay of the amount of time that it takes to walk 22 Amos. It is considered an interval even if one sits in his place and does not walk. (Furthermore, one who walks between homes [or rooms within the home[8]] is doing a Hefsek even if he walked a short amount.[9] [This applies even if he could see his original area of washing from the area that he is now entering into prior to eating.[10]]) Furthermore, for no need at all, one is not to make any interval, even for a time that is shorter than above.

For the sake of the meal:[11] All the above restriction against making an interval only applies if it is not done for the sake of the meal. However, an interval which is made for the sake of the meal and its necessities, is not considered an interval at all even between Hamotzi and the eating and certainly not between the washing and Hamotzi. Certainly, the delay in drying the hands and walking from the area of washing until the area of the meal is not defined as an interval, being that it is done for the sake of the meal. [This applies even if one must wash outside and go inside to eat.[12]] Nonetheless, initially, one is required to wash hands as close as possible to the area of the meal, if possible.

The law:

Based on the above introduction, it is understood that initially one is required to wash his hands by the sink that is closest to the area of the meal.[13] If there is no sink near the area of the meal, then one may wash his hands from whatever area that the sink is available, and the walking distance between the two places is not considered an interval.[14] [This applies even if one washes hands in another room, or even outside, or in another home, and goes from outside to inside, or from one home to another home, if that is the area of the closest sink.[15] Doing so is not considered an interval and does not invalidate the washing.]

When to dry the hands and say the blessing: Some Poskim[16] rule that whenever one washes hands in a different area than the meal due to lack of a sink in that area, then one is to delay the drying and blessing over the washing until he enters the room of the meal and only then say the blessing and dry his hands.[17] Other Poskim[18], however, rule that while one is to certainly delay the drying of the hands until he enters the area of the eating, nonetheless, the blessing is to be recited in the area of the washing and is not to be delayed. [Practically, one is to follow this latter opinion, and say the blessing right away in the area of the washing and simply delay the drying until the area of the meal.]

Eating some bread in the area of the washing: Despite the above allowance when necessary to wash in a different room than the room of the meal, some are particular in such a case to either have someone bring them the washing water in order to wash in the same room as the meal, or to bring some bread with them into the washing area and say Hamotzi there. [This is commonly done in Simcha halls, that they set up a basket of pieces of bread to eat near the washing station.[19]] However, in such a case if he is washing outside the home/building and will be going inside to eat the meal, then he should initially eat a Kezayis of bread in the washing area, prior to entering the inside.[20]

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[1] See Admur 166:1; M”A 166:3; Teshuvas Oneg Yom Tov 18; Pischei Olam 158:27; Kaf Hachaim 166:10; Chazon Ish 24:30; Shevet Halevi 1:205; Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:169; 2:118; Piskeiy Teshuvos 166:1

[2] See Admur 273:1-6; Kneses Hagedola 273 and Yad Melachi, brought in M”B 273:12 and Biur Halacha 273:3 “Lialter”; Kaf Hachaim 273:25; Kitzur Halachos 273 footnote 5 and 12; Siddur Raskin Miluim p. 737

[3] Admur 166:1; Michaber 166:1; Brachos

[4] 1^st and stam opinion in Admur ibid and in Michaber ibid; Rabbeinu Yona Brachos 42b; Tur 166 in name of Rabbeinu Yoel; Rif Brachos 30a; Rambam Brachos 6:20; See Brachos 52b

[5] 2^nd opinion in Admur ibid; 2^nd opinion in Michaber ibid; Tur 166 in name of Hagahos Harosh; Yerushalmi Brachos 1:1

[6] Admur ibid “It is proper to suspect for their words”; Michaber ibid “It is proper to be careful [like their words]”; Admur in Siddur ibid “One is required to be careful” [From this wording in the Siddur it is implied that we rule like the second opinion, and not merely suggest one to be stringent.]

[7] Admur ibid; Rama 166:1; Tosafus Sotah 39a; See M”A 166:3

[8] Darkei Chaim p. 197; Orchos Chaim 166:4; Kaf Hachaim 166:10

[9] Admur 166:1 in parentheses “(And if he goes from his house to another house it is considered an interval even if he walks only a slight amount [less than 22 Ama])”; M”A 166:3; Bigdei Yesha 166; Kitzur SHU”A 41:2; M”B 166:5; Kaf Hachaim 166:10; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 166:1 footnote 3

[10] Darkei Chaim p. 197; Orchos Chaim 166:4; Kaf Hachaim 166:10

[11] Admur ibid; M”A 167:12; Shelah Shaar Haosiyos Kuf; Kaf Hachaim 166:10; Aruch Hashulchan 166:2; Chazon Ish 24:30; Piskeiy Teshuvos 166:1; See also Admur 178:8 and in Seder Birchas Hanehnin 9:18

[12] Implication of Kaf Hachaim ibid

[13] Admur 166:1

[14] Admur ibid; M”A 167:12; Shelah Shaar Haosiyos Kuf; Kaf Hachaim 166:10; Aruch Hashulchan 166:2; Chazon Ish 24:30; Piskeiy Teshuvos 166:1; See also Admur 178:8 and in Seder Birchas Hanehnin 9:18

[15] Implication of Admur and Kaf Hachaim ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos 166:1 and footnote 18

[16] Teshuvas Oneg Yom Tov 18, brought in Pischei Olam 158:27 regarding drying; Kaf Hachaim 166:10 regaridng drying and blessing

[17] The reason: As the drying of the hands is considered part of the Mitzvah, and hence the walking is not considered an interval at all between the washing and Hamotzi. [Poskim ibid]

[18] Piskeiy Teshuvos 166:1 footnote 19 in length in negation of ruling of Kaf Hachaim ibid being that the laws of making a Hefsek between the washing and blessing is similar to the laws of a Hefsek between a blessing and eating, which is more severe than the laws of Hefsek between washing and Hamotzi. See also Admur 165:1 “Between the washing and blessing one must suspect more for a Hefsek…. And those who are careful not to speak between the blessing and Hamotzi but speak between the washing and blessing of the washing are mistaken…”; See Admur 167:9 that walking from outside to inside between the blessing and eating is a complete interval

[19] However, to note that often this bread is not a Shaleim, and hence compromises on the Mitzvah of making a blessing on a Shaleim. Seemingly in such a case it is better to simply delay the Hamotzi until one returns to the hall, or to take a whole bread with him to the washing station.

[20] See Admur 178:1-3 [must repeat Hamotzi if switch from outside to inside or vice versa prior to eating a kezayis of bread]; although see Admur 178:8 in parentheses that by a very short interval, especially if its for the need of the meal, it is not considered an interval even if he ate less than a Kesayis of bread.