Hand Washing When One Hand Entered the Restroom
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Question
I put one hand into the restroom, do I need to wash both hands, or is washing one hand sufficient? יש
Answer
You should wash both hands.
Source
As written in the Mishnah Berurah, Siman D, S"K M: one who exits the restroom must perform hand washing, even if he did not relieve himself, and similarly from the bathhouse, even if he did not bathe there, due to the evil spirit that resides in these places:
Regarding modern toilets, the Chazon Ish was uncertain whether washing is required, or if it is similar to the Persian toilets where waste does not remain. In practice, our teacher's opinion is to be stringent in this matter.
In the case at hand, although the Rambam in the laws of entering the Temple, Chapter 18, rules that partial entry is not considered entry, the Raavad disagrees and holds that partial entry is considered entry. And since the impurity of the hands is not due to dirt, but due to the evil spirit that is on the hands, it can be said that even according to the Rambam it is not due to entry, as in the case of an impure person who is forbidden to enter the Temple, but due to the evil spirit that resides there and attaches to the person, therefore one should be concerned that there is an evil spirit on him, and wash both hands.
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