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From: Russell Hendel <rhendel@saber.towson.edu>
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 18:14:31 -0500 (EST)
Subject: When Washing Requires a Utensil

Janet Rosenbaum in v30n80 asks about the reason for requiring a cup for
Mayim Acharonim. My opinion is that Mayim acharonim does NOT require a
cup. This was already echoed by Eitan Fiorino in v30n90 I think this is
a good example of what happens when reasons are added to laws to
embellish them.

Let us 1st review the laws of washing hands. The laws are clearly
summarized in Rambam Blessings Chapter 6.  The following salient points
are relevant

--6:3 Mayim Acharonim is because of DANGER (of rubbing your eyes and
abrasing them with salt). This is distinguished from other washings that
are rabbinic institutions to symbolically remind us of the laws of
tahara (purity)

--6:6-Washings due to purity require 4 items--a) Valid water b)
Sufficient volume c) from a vessel d) poured by human force

Clearly we do NOT require "sufficient volume" in Mayim acharonim because
they are not symbolic washings but actual washings to remove abrasive
salt. So too there is no need for a utensil..for the washing is not
symbolic but functional. The proof for this is that ordinary washing
does not require a utensil if eg it is done by placing ones hands in a
mikveh(6:4)

I think the Rambam and Gmarrah are clear on the fact that mayim
acharonim is for reasons of DANGER. If there are later authorities (than
the Gmarrah and early rishonim) that bring down other reasons for Mayim
acharonim then we have to be clear that this is not the original reason

Next to Eitan's question about washing for the Karpas. He is 100%
correct (that we shoulnd't wash). However there is a principle on Pesach
to do as many peculiar things as possible so as to arouse curiosity in
the children. In other words we deliberately wash when we are not
required to in order to get the children to ask questions about washing
hands. In fact Eitan's excellent posting shows what a delightful seder
tip this is at it can generate excellent Torah.

Russell Hendel; Math; Towson University
Moderator Rashi Is SImple; http://www.shamash.org/rashi/