Hand Washing After Touching Nasal Mucus

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Question

I touched my nasal mucus in the middle of prayer; do I need to go wash my hands?

Answer

Touching an area covered inside the nose requires washing, and if one is in the middle of prayer, they should rub their hands on their body or on the wall. However, regarding touching nasal mucus (such as when it exits the nose), the Mishnah Berurah rules according to the opinion of the Gra that washing hands is not necessary.


Source

The Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Laws of Prayer, Siman 92, Seif 6 states: "One who stands in prayer and remembers that they touched an unclean place, it suffices to clean their hands on earth or stones or rub their hands on the wall." "An unclean place refers to covered areas on a person due to sweat, and similarly if one scratches their head. Ga: Therefore, it is forbidden to touch these places while standing in prayer or engaged in Torah study (Kol Bo), and similarly with ear and nasal mucus, except through a garment."

In the Mishnah Berurah, Siman there, SK 30, the opinion of the Gra is brought, who is lenient regarding ear and nasal mucus, and it appears that this is the ruling.


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