tunnetilat

Tunnetilat, often rendered from Hebrew as netilat yadayim, refers to the Jewish ritual washing of the hands, typically performed before eating bread. The practice is rooted in notions of ritual purity and marks a transition from ordinary activity to the meal.

The act is described in rabbinic literature and codified in halakha, with variations among communities. In general, water is poured over the hands from a vessel or poured at a sink, ensuring the water touches the hands up to the wrists. After washing, the hands are dried before the bread is blessed and eaten.

Blessing and timing are key elements. When the washing precedes eating bread and one intends to eat, the blessing al netilat yadayim is recited: Baruch Atah Hashem... al netilat yadayim. Some people also perform netilat yadayim in the morning or in other situations, but the blessing and exact procedure can differ between traditions.

There are notable differences among Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi communities regarding the exact method, the number of pours, and whether the blessing is recited in certain contexts. Despite these variations, the core idea remains the same: a ceremonial washing of the hands as preparation for bread and the associated blessing.

Tunnetilat/netilat yadayim continues to be observed in many Orthodox communities and in some Conservative and other observant circles, while secular or reform practices may vary. See also Netilat Yadayim, ritual purity, and kashrut.