Handwashing Before Meals

What are the laws about talking after washing for bread?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

Washing one’s hands before eating bread is one of the 7 rabbinical mitzvot along with the recitation of Hallel when called for, celebrating Purim, celebrating Chanuka, the “eruv” laws, lighting Shabbat candles, and reciting blessings.

The reason the sages instituted hand washing before bread is to recall tha that the Kohanim would wash their hands before eating trauma – sanctified food, which was, more often than not, grain and bread. Another reason for washing hands before eating bread is derived from the following verse: “You shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, for I am the L‑rd, your G-d.” The sages teach us that the words, “You shall sanctify yourselves” refers to washing before eating and the words “And be holy” refers to washing after eating. Washing one’s hands before eating bread is extremely important and one who does not do so is said to risk becoming poor.

As you correctly note, once one washes one’s hands for bread, speaking is forbidden until one actually eats some bread. One reason for this is less we become distracted and touch something that would render our hands impure before having eaten bread. Therefor one should endeavour to recite the blessing on the bread and eat some as soon as possible after washing.

One who did accidentally interrupt by speaking before eating bread need not re-wash his hands Meikar hadin, However le'chatchillah one should re-wash one's hands. So too, it is permitted to interrupt and speak about something that is necessary for Ha'motsie such as to ask that the bread or salt be brought to the table using minimum words if there is no other way of conveying the message.

OC 166 and commentaries