As we now transition from the formal telling of the Passover story to the celebratory meal, we once again wash our hands to prepare ourselves. In Judaism, a good meal together with friends and family is itself a sacred act, so we prepare for it just as we prepared for our holiday ritual, recalling the way ancient priests once prepared for service in the Temple.

Some people distinguish between washing to prepare for prayer and washing to prepare for food by changing the way they pour water on their hands. For washing before food, pour water three times on your right hand and then three times on your left hand.

Before we wash our hands, please go around and share on thing that you want to release from your story this year. As you wash, allow the water to pull out all the lingering restrictions and narrowness within. Cleanse your hands so they are ready to build!

After you have poured the water over your hands, recite this short blessing.

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.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who made us holy through obligations, commanding us to wash our hands.

Or could take some tips from the girls past blessings…

Blanche will insist you say her own blessing. 

Blanche: Dear God, I know it’s been an awful long time since I’ve done this. You have given me a lot to be thankful for: my wonderful children, my health, a beautiful body, legs to die for. A face that is stunningly sexy and yet has the innocence of a child, with luscious lips…
Dorothy: He knows what you look like Blanche.
Blanche: Yes, you know what I look like, and I just wanted to say, good job!

SOURCE: Golden Girls S7E21 “Home Again, Rose: Part 1”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0589759/


haggadah Section: Rachtzah