Morning Hand Washing for a Child
Question
From what age/stage do we insist that a child has to wash his hands? And does a kid's hand washing require the same strictness as an adult's? (This affects how much effort should be put in when the child forgets, whether to wash his hands in winter when there is no warm water, whether to insist when the child doesn’t want to wash?)
Answer
Hello,
From the age when the child starts touching food, you should wash his hands.
Remember that the child is not 'obligated' to wash hands, as he is not obligated in mitzvot. In retrospect, it is permissible to eat what he touched. Therefore, you should not force him to wash hands, but rather teach and educate him about it.
Answered by
Answers questions at Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Smicha "Yoreh-Yoreh" (2012), Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah
About the Rabbi
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 4
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