Q. See question above. I remember once by the Seuda of Purim that a guest walked in carrying a Megila and a Rabbi told him to put it away, since if he or others touch it after they washed hands for the Seuda, they will have to wash again. Is that correct?
A. The Talmud (Shabbos 14a) explains the reasons why we wash hands before eating and the relation it has to do the same when handling Sifrei Kodesh. Chayei Adam (40: 20) maintains that if one touches in the middle of a Seuda the Tefilin and even the Retzuos (straps) of them, the Megila and any other holy manuscript written on parchment, the Netilas Yadaim has to be repeated, but without a brocho.
Biur Halacha (164) writes that it is not necessary to wash hands, however it is best.
Maharsham (4; 121), Chazon Ish (Yodaim 7: 11), Kaf Hachaim (164: 11), Tzitz Eliezer (7: 27), and others are also lenient.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
Important Numbers
