RAHTZAH  - רָחְצָה

 2nd Ritual Hand washing

Everyone at the Seder now ritually washes before Motzee-Matzah. We wash because (1) we are a “kingdom of priests” and whenever we wash before eating, we are reminded of that special role, and (2) the ritual washing recalls the priestly eating of their tithes in purity.

Pour water from a cup once on each hand over a sink or basin hands, this time with a blessing, to prepare for the eating of the matzah:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדָֽיִם:

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu al n'tilat yadayim.

Praised are you, Adonai, Lord of the universe, who sanctified us with his commandment to wash our hands.


haggadah Section: Rachtzah