Netilat Yadayim (Hand Washing)

Bread made from the five species of grains identified by our sages (wheat, barley, rye, spelt or oat) require the blessing "Hamotzi". Wash hands ritually before eating bread and recite the blessing.

I noticed the kids washing their hands by the bed in the morning. This seems like a crazy ritual to be done right near the bed, could you enlighten me?

In the Holy Temple, the priests would wash their hands before their daily service. And every individual is a priest in the temple of his or her home and heart...

Do the ritual washing of hands, say a blessing on the food and then dig in, to elevate all those carbs and proteins into a divine experience . . .

When we awaken in the morning, we immediately recognize and appreciate the kindness G-d has done with them.

The halachic and kabbalistic rationale for washing three times.

Five levels of understanding for the mitzvah of Netilat Yadayim, the washing of hands, upon awaking in the morning and before eating bread.

Discover how to master your emotions and attain self-control by understanding the deeper meaning of the Jewish ritual of handwashing in the morning.

To understand why, we first need to examine why we wash our hands in the first place.