Waking Up Routine

Upon waking up, we say Mode Ani.... then...After this , is it proper to say netilat yadayim while performing the ritual handwashing on getting up then recite the Reshit chochma yir-at HaSHEM? Or should it be silent handwash ritual then recite the Reshit prayer? Toda Raba...

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

The first thing one should do upon awakening is recite the “Modeh Ani.” This is done even before washing one’s hands. We recite Modeh Ani promptly upon arising in order to remember that G-d is everywhere at all times, and He returns life into our bodies every morning upon awakening. It is also to encourage us to promptly get out of bed to begin performing mitzvot.

After Modeh Ani, one must wash one’s hands before doing anything else, this is known as “Netilat Yadayim” and it is done by washing our hands 3 times each, in an alternative manner (right-left-right-left, etc), using a cup of some sort. One does not pray, as it is forbidden to mention G-d’s name, until one washes one’s hands. (Modeh Ani does not include the name of G-d and that’s why it is permitted to recite it before washing one’s hands).

After washing one’s hands, one may recite “Reishit Chochma...” and other prayers. However, most people need to relieve themselves in the bathroom upon awakening and it is forbidden to pray when one has the urge to relieve oneself.

One should endeavor not to touch one’s body before washing one’s hands in the morning, but the true ban is on touching openings and orifices. One may touch the outer parts of one’s body before washing one’s hands if truly needed.

As such, the routine of most people in the morning goes something like this: Wake up, Modeh Ani, washing the hands, relieving oneself in the bathroom, washing one’s hands again, getting dressed, and then one begins to pray.

See OC 1 and 4, with commentaries.