Question:
Hi,
If one came out of the bathroom and is washing his hands with a cup and also knows that right after he will be eating bread what should he do?
Wash twice? Wash once (if so, how would he wash)? Say Al Netilas Yadayim and then Hamotzei and then Asher Yatzar after? Say Asher Yatzar first?
Also, as an aside, let’s say he decides right after washing for the bathroom to eat bread. Is it the same Halacha or different?
Thank you so much!
Answer:
Hello,
The Shulchan Aruch O:CH 165-1 discusses your question. A person that uses the bathroom right before washing to eat, has a bit of quandary as to what he should do. On one hand if he washes his hands properly, he now has to say Asher Yatzar and Netilas Yodayim, and each one would be a hefsek between the washing and the other bracha. To wait until after he eats the bread is also incorrect because the Asher Yatzar shouldn’t wait so long. R’ S. Z. Auerbach zt”l gives a very practical solution to this issue. He says that one should wash his hands directly from the faucet, say Asher Yotzar. Then he can wash his hands for the Netilas Yodayim. The reason for this is because nowadays we have faucets coming out of the walls, which are considered attached to the ground and not a valid kli with which to wash netilas yodayim for a meal, however they are fine for Asher Yotzar. Therefore, we can wash first for Asher Yotzar, and it isn’t a conflict for Netilas Yodayim.
Best wishes
Sources:
Halichos Shlomo (Tefillah) 20-26.
