1) Rachtzah: The hands are washed And the Bracha of "Al Netilas Yadayim" is recited in preparation to eat the Matzah.
Even though the hands were already washed earlier by Urchatz, we wash again in case we may have touched an unclean area between then and now. (See Shulchan Aruch HaRav Siman 475:2 that in any case the first washing will not work for the Matzah)
Some Poskim say that it is proper to deliberately touch a covered area before this washing to ensure that the washing is necessary and a Bracha is permitted to be recited. (See Biur Halacha Siman 475:1. See also Halichos Shlomo Perek 9:38)
2) Motzi-Matzah: The Matzah is eaten; a fulfillment of the biblical commandment to do so on this night.
It is proper to specifically have in mind, and to tell everyone in the household as well to have in mind, before eating the Matzah that what we are about to do is a fulfillment of the positive commandment to eat Matzah. (The reason for this is that Mitzvos Tzrichos Kavanah, Actions alone without having in mind what we are doing do not work when it comes to biblical commandments; See Shulchan Aruch Siman 60:4)
If this "thought" was not had, according to many Poskim B'dieved it is acceptable and no additional Matzah must be eaten, especially if the Bracha was recited with Kavanah and the Matzah was eaten B'Heseibah; other Poskim require another Kzayis to be eaten without a Bracha. (See Mishna Berura Siman 475:34 and Biur Halacha Dibur Hamaschil Aval for more about this.)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
I know that one should do negel vasser in the morning before doing anything else, but what if one has to use the restroom? He is not allowed to say a bracha while having the urge to go to the bathroom but he also can not go to the bathroom without washing his hands first. What should he do?
Answer:
I am not sure which specific Bracha you are referring to.
Modeh Ani may be said before washing Negel Vasser.
One should wash Negel Vasser and then use the restroom, and only after washing the hands (again) after using the restroom may the Bracha of Al Netilas Yadayim, Asher Yatzar and the rest of Birchas HaShachar be said.
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CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal , the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi Finkel Zatzal and the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Ohr, the great Posek HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg Zatzal.
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זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
Hashem promised that Bnei Yisroel would leave Mitzrayim with great wealth. Why "borrow" it from neighbors? Could Hashem not figure out, among all his other miraculous wonders, a way for them to get it outright?
True it was never going back to the Mitzriyim but why have this debt hanging over their heads? Besides Chazal tell us that these riches were their salary that they were owed for all the years of work.
The Chidushei HaRim answers that these were poor deprived people living like slaves for generations. Too much money is no good for anyone and certainly not the instant wealth that this windfall created.
Hashem used this borrowing scheme as a psychological tool to help keep Bnei Yisroel well grounded. True they got all the money and finally tasted the feeling of being rich but on the other hand they would not get too comfortable since they knew that it wasn't really theirs and they would have to give it back. (Hagadah Otzar HaMedrashim)
Important Numbers
