At this point in the Seder we get ready to eat and wash hands again, this time saying a blessing. Ritual washing has long been a part of Jewish tradition, and also a part of our daily lives, especially salient during this pandemic. We wash to protect ourselves and to eliminate the spread. As we wash, let us be grateful for our access to clean, potable water, and make the commitment to ensure clean, safe water for everyone everywhere. Water is a human right- from Flint, Michigan to Palestine, from the droughts in California to Israel, we remember that without water we cannot survive. It is our duty to protect the sources of water in our communities from pollution and environmental degradation, as well as fight for water access in our country and world.

Pour cup of water over one hand three times then the other; pat dry with a nice towel. We recite: 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדַיִם

Baruch atah Adonai, melech/ruach ha'olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al netilat yadai'im

Blessed are you, God, ruler of the universe, who makes us holy with good rules such as washing our hands.


haggadah Section: Rachtzah