Spouts on Washing Cups

Can washing cups with spouts be used for Netilas Yadayim?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

The cup used for washing one’s hands should be smooth and rounded all around. If it does have a spout you may also pour from the spout if the spout is at the same level as the top/rim of the cup. However, it must be noted that the cup “halachically” ends at the lower part of the rim so if for example, the spout is lower than the rim one needs to pour from the spout, if the rim of the cup is lower then the spout one needs to pour from the rim of the cup, not the spout.  

Some other points of interest about the washing cup include:

A washing cup does not need to have handles although they are commonly seen on washing cups. Even a glass or cup without handles may be used for washing one’s hands. You should just be sure that your two hands don’t touch each other when passing the cup from hand to hand.

The cup should ideally hold at least 5 ounces

Disposable cups may be used if nothing else is available

The hands should ideally be washed up until the wrist.

If one hand is bandaged one need only wash the exposed hand, and if only part of the hand is bandaged then the exposed part needs to be washed, if that is not possible then one should cover that part of the hand when eating.

The same rules apply for the cup used for washing one’s hands in the morning upon arising as well as before eating bread.

OC 159-162 and commentaries