Halocho #625 - Wash your face daily

Upon awakening one should wash ones hands from a cup, alternating between the right and left hand until each hand is washed 3 times.

Two reasons are given:
- You are starting a new day of serving Hashem; similar to a Cohen who had to wash his hands before serving in the Bet Hamikdash.

- Part of the soul leaves the body when one sleeps, therefore sleeping is considered a mini-death which generates impurity which needs to be washed away.

One should then wash ones face in honor of one's Maker, since the Pasuk says that man was created in Hashem's image.

One should be careful to dry ones hands and face, for health reasons.

One should also rinse ones mouth, in anticipation of saying Hashem's name during prayers.

On fast-days one may not rinse ones mouth.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 2:1, 3, 121:10

- Danny
Wednesday, 24 Menachem Av 5770