Why do we wash Netilat Yadayim before we eat bread?

The requirement to wash one’s hands is rabbinical. The Kohanim were required to wash their hands to purify them before eating or handling Terumah (produce separated for the Kohanim). To ensure that Kohanim not overlook this practice, Hachamim required them, as well as all of Klal Yisrael, to wash their hands before eating “regular” non-Teruma (Hullin) bread (Hullin 106a). Although Teruma is not eaten in our days due to our general status of impurity, Hachamim maintained this requirement, even in the diaspora, so that this Halacha will remain familiar to us when the Bet Hamikdash is rebuilt (Aruch HaShulhan, 158: 2, 3).

Another basis for Netilat Yadayim is that we are enjoined to lead our lives with sanctity: “You should sanctify yourselves and be holy” (VaYikra, 20:7). The Gemara (Berachot, 53b) understands the words “you should sanctify yourselves” as referring to washing one’s hands before eating bread.

What’s the proper procedure for Netilat Yadayim before eating bread?

One should pour at least one Revi’it (about three ounces), all at once, on the right hand, allowing water to flow over one’s entire hand, both the front and back and between the fingers (this can be done by simply rotating one’s hand). When water is plentiful the Mishna Berura writes that one should ideally pour a second time on the right hand (162:21). The cup should then be transferred to one’s right hand and this procedure should then be repeated for the left hand.

One should then rub one’s hands together, a process called shifshuf (Shulhan Aruch, 162:2), a practice Rav Belsky, zt”l felt is too often overlooked (Shulhan HaLevi, Ch. 3:1b).

One should then make the blessing Al Netilat Yadayim and then dry them (Mishna Berura, 158:42).

Am I permitted to speak during Netilat Yadayim or between Netilat Yadayim and HaMotzi?

While a person washes one’s hands it is forbidden to speak until one makes the blessing Al Netilat Yadayim (Derashot HaTzlah, 4:22). The Beracha applies to the Mitzvah of washing and there should be no interruption between the Mitzvah and the Beracha.

If a person did speak before making the blessing he should wash Netilat Yadayim again. One should first rub his scalp or touch his shoe so that a blessing on the new Netila will be justified (Piske Teshuvot, 158:122).

After Netilat Yadayim it is preferable not to talk until HaMotzi is recited (Shulhan Aruch 166:1). B’Dia’avad, if one did speak, he is not required to wash Netilat Yadayim again provided that he did not have Hesech HaDa’at – any distraction from maintaining the cleanliness of his hands (Mishna Berura 166:6).