netilat yadayim

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Pronunciations

al netilat yadayim (AHL neh-tee-LAHT yah-DAH-yeem) listen
netilat yadayim (neh-tee-LAHT yah-DAH-yeem) listen

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Definitions

  • n. Ritual handwashing.

  • n. The prayer said for ritual handwashing.

Example Sentences

  • "Each morning, we are commanded to wash our hands and recite the blessing Netilat Yadayim." (source)

  • "The purpose for ritual hand washing isn't about cleanliness, so, yes, we are permitted to wash our hands with soap and water before we do al netilat yadayim (the washing you're talking about)." (source)

  • "We like to do the Yehi Ratzones after we wash netilat yadayim."

  • "Waiter! Do you have a place here for Netilat yadayim?" (Glinert)

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Languages of Origin

  • Textual Hebrew

Etymology

  • עַל נְטִילַת יָדָיִם, the final words of the prayer said while washing the hands, lit. 'regarding the washing of the hands'

      • Who Uses This

      • Religious: Jews who are engaged in religious observance and have some Jewish education

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • The Joys of Hebrew, by Lewis Glinert (New York, 1992).

      Alternative Spellings

      al netilat yadayim

Notes

  • Most often, netilat yadayim refers to the handwashing that takes place on Shabbat after the prayer over the wine but before the prayer over the bread. However, this handwashing is also required any time before and after eating a meal with bread or matzah, upon waking, after using the toilet, before eating karpas during the Passover seder, and before prayer.

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