Status:In Progress
Date: Shevat 05 5785
Rav David Touitou's shiur provides an in-depth exploration of Maim Aharonim, also known as Mayim Aharonim Chova ("the final waters are an obligation").
This practice involves washing one's fingertips with a small amount of water before reciting Birkat Amazon, the blessing that follows a meal. Rav Touitou emphasizes that this often-overlooked ritual carries profound significance.
Halachic Perspective
From a halachic standpoint, the obligation of Mayim Aharonim is a subject of debate among authorities. Some, like the Rif (Rabbi Yitzhak El Fassi), regard it as an absolute requirement, even in meals that do not include salt, such as matza. Conversely, others, including the Rambam and Tosafot, initially associated the practice with the specific dangers posed by salt from the Dead Sea, which is no longer considered a threat today. As a result, they view it as non-obligatory, though they still advocate for its performance. The Shulchan Aruch states that even in communities where this practice is not customary, it is preferable to observe it. Rav Touitou underscores that if one has adopted the practice, they should continue to do so.
Ritual
The ritual involves pouring a small amount of water over the fingertips, often using a special container (keli). It is specifically performed before Birkat Amazon and not at any other time. While some communities maintain a custom that restricts the practice to men, the contemporary consensus is that both men and women are equally obligated to perform Mayim Aharonim.
- Amount of Water: A small amount of water is used. The sources emphasize that one should "especially not use a lot of water".
- How to Wash:
- The water is poured over the fingertips.
- Often, a special container, called a keli, is used. This keli is typically a small pitcher or cruet, which allows for a controlled pour of water onto the fingers.
- When: Maim Aharonim is performed specifically before reciting Birkat Amazon (the blessing after a meal).
- Container: While it is preferable to remove the keli from the table after the washing, it is not forbidden if it remains there.
Kavanot (Intentions)
The kavanot, or intentions behind Mayim Aharonim, are rich and multifaceted. The most fundamental reason is physical cleanliness, as it removes any food remnants, sauces, spices, or salt from the hands. Given that Birkat Amazon is a mitzvah from the Torah, it is essential to perform it with clean hands.
Mayim Aharonim also serves a spiritual purpose, acting as a means to dispel negative spiritual forces and enhance clarity. This idea is supported by the Zohar, which links the practice to the removal of "clipot" (negative spiritual forces). Additionally, it acts as a safeguard against the historical dangers associated with salt from the Dead Sea, which was believed to cause blindness. By washing the hands, one symbolically washes away any potential curse or negative influence tied to this type of salt. The phrase "mayim aharonim chova" is regarded as equally important as reciting a Dvar Torah at the table. Some individuals even seek additional merit by washing their hands in a different location for this purpose.
Mystical Dimensions
The mystical aspects of Mayim Aharonim are equally significant. The Zohar emphasizes that this practice is a powerful means of removing negative forces and achieving spiritual clarity. It also establishes a connection between Mayim Aharonim and the mitzvah of immediately reciting Birkat Amazon, linking the phrases "Yitol Yadav" (wash hands) and "Techev" (immediately) to the Hebrew word for shoulder (Katef). This connection teaches that these two actions should be performed in close succession.
Historically, the practice has been associated primarily with men due to its connections to Kabbalah and Chassidut. However, contemporary understanding recognizes that this mitzvah is equally relevant for both men and women, serving as a means for all to connect with the divine.
Historical Context
The practice of washing hands after a meal is ancient, originating from a time when people commonly ate with their hands. The concern regarding salt from the Dead Sea became a significant reason for the ritual, viewed as a necessary precaution against potential blindness. Over time, differing opinions emerged among halachic authorities regarding the obligation of this practice and the customs surrounding it.
Rav Touitou employs the analogy of a lingot of gold (gold bars) to illustrate the importance of Mayim Aharonim He explains that even if the practice appears minor, it yields substantial spiritual rewards, making it a mitzvah that one should not overlook or renounce.