Q. If you touch new shoes that were never worn, or shoes in a store do you require netilas yodaim?
A. Shulchan Aruch Horav (128: 27) quotes Magen Avraham that the reason for washing hands when touching shoes is due to the ruach ra'a that rests on them. Otzros Yaakov (p. 110) argues that this may result in having to wash even for new shoes. Orchois Chaim (14) quoting Meorei Ohr, has a similar view.
However, Mor Uk'tzia (Toldos 17). Kaf Hachaim (4: 71), Yofe Leiv (1: 4: 21), Taharas Yom Tov (11: p. 125), Yalkut Yosef (4: 49), and others rule that no netilas yodaim is needed.
In regards to touching shoes in a store, Shevet Hakehosi (4: 2) maintains that since other people have also tried them on and walked with them, one should wash hands, while Shearim Hametzuyanim Behalacha (2: 9) explains that since one who tries them on, is not doing so for the pleasure of wearing them, but rather to measure and examine them, that is not defined as wearing shoes.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is to be lenient in need.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
