Rachsa

Source: Halachipedia: Rachsa

Link: https://halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Rachsa

Categories: Holidays, Pesach, Seder

Exported: 2025-12-30

1. One should wash with a Bracha before eating the Matzah.¹ The Mishnah Brurah explains that we wash again because it is likely that our hands have touched something dirty over the course of the Seder.²
2. If one know that one watched one's hands and one didn't touch an area that requires Netilat Yadayim one should wash without a bracha.³
3. If one is sure that one watched one’s hands from touching something that requires Netilat Yadayim then one should rewash before eating Matzah without a Bracha. According to Ashkenazim preferably one should cause oneself to need to wash one’s hands with a Bracha.⁴
4. The Chatam Sofer had a minhag to have others wash his hands for him to symbolize freedom.⁵

References

¹: Shulchan Aruch O.C. 475:1

²: Mishna Brurah 475:1

³: Chazon Ovadyah (pg 62)

⁴: Beiur Halacha 475 s.v. Yitol. Halichot Shlomo 9:38 adds that Rav Shlomo Zalman would cause himself to require Netilat Yadayim with a Bracha.

⁵: cited by Mikraeh Kodesh p. 283 n. 5