1) Before washing for Al Netilas Yadayim, it is important to ensure that the table is set and ready for the meal and that the bread, salt and breadknife is already on the table. [Alternately, if one is simply eating a piece of bread or a sandwich and not setting the table, it is important to make sure that the bread or sandwich is prepared and ready to eat immediately after washing the hands.]
Before washing, it is important to check and make sure that a towel is available with which to dry the hands. All of the above is to ensure that there isn't even a short Hefsek, interruption, between the washing and the eating. (See Kaf HaChaim 166:3)
2) The Bracha of Hamotzi [on the bread] should be said as soon as humanly possible after the washing.
It is forbidden to talk between the washing of the hands and the reciting of "Hamotzi", even a short comment and even talking words of Torah is forbidden.
Saying words that are necessary for the reciting of "Hamotzi", such as saying "salt" or "knife" to indicate that those items are needed is permitted. (See Mishna Berura 165:7 and 166:2. The Shulchan Aruch HaRav 166:1 and some other Poskim maintain that saying two or three words such as "yes please" or "Of course not" are not considered a Hefsek and are permitted.)
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QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and my Answers. Taken from the Q & A page on the Halacha For Today website. For study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha. Questions can be emailed to Halacha For Today)
Reader's Question:
If a baby will scream if put down -can you lechatchila daven shmone esrei with him in a 'snuggly' (-your not holding him but he is in something you are wearing) -and you wouldn't wear the 'snuggly' outside b/c you feel it may attract attention (b/c it's different)?
My Answer:
The reason that one may not daven while holding something is that he/she will not have kavana as they are concentrating on not dropping the thing they are holding.
Thus, if you are holding a child, you may not daven, and may even need to repeat your davening if done while holding the child.
Seemingly, if the child is in a "snuggly", you arent concentrating on him not falling, and if no other alternative is avaialble, you may daven like that.
Of course, ideally, you should have someone elese hold the child or put him down in a crib for those few minutes that you are praying. As far as going outside with it, many people do in fact go out like that, so that in it of itself would not be a reason to invalidate your davening.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
