Washing Hands After Using the Bathroom Before a Meal
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Question
A person who has used the bathroom and wants to eat, how should they proceed with washing hands after the bathroom and for the meal?
Answer
According to the instructions of the Gaon, Rabbi Ovadia Fried, shlita, one should follow the opinion of the Chazon Ish, performing one washing according to the law and reciting the blessings for washing hands and "Asher Yatzar."
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Siman 165, and see there in Mishnah Berurah, which rules that one should perform a washing that is not suitable for bread and bless "Asher Yatzar," and then perform a washing suitable for bread and bless "Al Netilat Yadayim." His opinion is that blessing "Asher Yatzar" first and then "Al Netilat Yadayim" is not possible, as it creates an interruption between the washing and the blessing. If one blesses "Al Netilat Yadayim" first and then "Asher Yatzar," it creates an interruption between washing hands and "Hamotzi," and it is also incorrect to delay "Asher Yatzar" until after "Hamotzi," as one is obligated in it now when they have washed their hands. If one washes their hands properly from a pitcher and blesses "Asher Yatzar," and then washes their hands again for the meal, they cannot bless on the second washing, as their hands are pure due to the previous washing.
However, the opinion of the Chazon Ish, Orach Chaim, Siman 24, Se'if Katan 30, is that one should perform one washing and bless "Al Netilat Yadayim" first and then "Asher Yatzar." And this is not considered an interruption.
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