Hand Washing
From Shabbat
Traditional Hand Washing
Ritual Hand Washing often occurs in more observant households following the Kiddush. Less traditional Jews tend to skip this step. Each person pours a little water over the right hand and then the left hand, and recites this blessing, often paraphrased as Al N'tilat Yadayim (Literally "Concerning Hand Washing"):
Blessed are You, Eternal One Our God, Ruling Presence of the Universe, Who sanctifies us with mitzvot and gives us this mitzvah of washing the hands.
The hands are then dried on a towel. It is customary not to speak between the washing of the hands and the next blessing.
