Midreshet Amit

• LIVE TORAH:
• Academic Program
• Yimei Iyun
• FAQ
• Recent Shiurim
• View by Parsha
• View By Chag
• Search Database
• Ask the Rav

The Seder is a time when we remember our past. We not only learn about it but we recreate events that happened during Yitziat Mitzraim and the time of the Beit Hamikdash.

One question that arises is, why do we wash our hands without a bracha during urchatz?

During the time of the Beit Hamikdash, Jews washed their hands before they ate vegetables which were in contact with liquids, not only before they ate bread. We do urchatz during the seder to express our hope that the Beit Hamikdash will be rebuilt soon and that redemption will come.

We learn from the Talmud (Pesachim 115a) that "Any food that is dipped into a liquid requires washing of the hands before it is eaten."  Today, most people do not observe the practice of washing before eating vegetables, so why on Pesach does everyone follow it? The first opinion by the Taz is that it's just plain inconsistency and we should be doing it all the time. The Levush states that because this act of dipping constitutes an act of a mitzvah, it is treated with more respect and is more strictly observed. The third opinion, by the Aruch Hashulchan, states that we do this in order to stimulate questions. In general, Pesach is a night unlike any other night. Whether we're reclining like kings, or eating charoset to remind us of the bricks the Jewish slaves had to build, or dipping vegetables into salt water to remind us of our brethren's tears, Pesach is a unique night. It makes sense that on Pesach night we don't say a bracha after washing our hands because it proves that this night is different than all other nights.