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Post by alon on Jan 9, 2014 20:50:03 GMT -8
First, my notes- feel free to add to or correct:
Netilat Yadiyim; Ritual handwashing- is tevilah for the hands. You can use any cup, as long as it is set aside, kadosh; it is used only for God, not for the mundane. Wayyiqra (Lev) 15: 6 "Whoever sits on anything the person with the discharge sat on is to wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening. 7 Anyone who touches the body of the person with the discharge is to wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening. 8 If the person with the discharge spits on someone who is clean, the latter is to wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening. 9 Any saddle that the person with the discharge rides on will be unclean. 10 Whoever touches anything that was under him will be unclean until evening; he who carries those things is to wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening. 11 If the person with the discharge fails to rinse his hands in water before touching someone, that person is to wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening." You should do netilat yadiyim: just after waking just before eating just after a discharge/sex After “Pentecost” the Disciples still worshiped in the Temple. They still did rituals, including netilat yadiyim. Yeshua also did netilat yadiyim while He was with them: Mattithyahu (Mat) 15: "1 Then some P'rushim and  -teachers from Yerushalayim came to Yeshua and asked him, 2 "Why is it that your talmidim break the Tradition of the Elders? They don't do n'tilat-yadayim before they eat!"" Marqos (Mark) 7: "1 The P'rushim and some of the -teachers who had come from Yerushalayim gathered together with Yeshua 2 and saw that some of his talmidim ate with ritually unclean hands, that is, without doing n'tilat-yadayim. 3 (For the P'rushim, and indeed all the Judeans, holding fast to the Tradition of the Elders, do not eat unless they have given their hands a ceremonial washing. 4 Also, when they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they have rinsed their hands up to the wrist; and they adhere to many other traditions, such as washing cups, pots and bronze vessels.) 5 The P'rushim and the -teachers asked him, "Why don't your talmidim live in accordance with the Tradition of the Elders, but instead eat with ritually unclean hands?"" It should be inferred that the talmidim of Yeshua did do netilat yadiyim; otherwise they would have been forced to leave the Temple. Furthermore, it would have been a sin had Yeshua not done this and required it of his talmidim. Since Yeshua was sinless, He must have done these things. What was at issue was that they did not do netilat yadiyim in the manner prescribed by the sect of these particular religious leaders, so it was as though they did not do it. Marqos (Mark) 7: "6 Yeshua answered them, "Yesha`yahu was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites -- as it is written, `These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from me. 7 Their worship of me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.' 8 "You depart from God's command and hold onto human tradition. Indeed," 9 he said to them, "you have made a fine art of departing from God's command in order to keep your tradition!" Questions to follow in next post ... . Dan C
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Post by alon on Jan 9, 2014 20:56:35 GMT -8
The premise for n'tilat yadiyim is, as far as I know, Wayyiqra 15:11 "If the person with the discharge fails to rinse his hands in water before touching someone, that person is to wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening"
This speaks only of the person with the discharge washing his hands. It says nothing about a ritual washing. I assume the explanation is in the Talmud. Does anyone have the Talmudic reference, or another scriptural reference?
If there is no clear scriptural mandate to do n'tilat yadiyim, are my notes that it would have been a sin for Yeshua not to perform this ritual before eating incorrect?
edit: The traditional prayer for n’tilat yadiyim would be:
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam Vetzivanu al N’tilat Yadiyim.
Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe who commands us to n’tilat yadiyim.
Dan C
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Post by Yedidyah on Jan 10, 2014 10:17:37 GMT -8
The premise for n'tilat yadiyim is, as far as I know, Wayyiqra 15:11 "If the person with the discharge fails to rinse his hands in water before touching someone, that person is to wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening" This speaks only of the person with the discharge washing his hands. It says nothing about a ritual washing. I assume the explanation is in the Talmud. Does anyone have the Talmudic reference, or another scriptural reference? If there is no clear scriptural mandate to do n'tilat yadiyim, are my notes that it would have been a sin for Yeshua not to perform this ritual before eating incorrect? edit: The traditional prayer for n’tilat yadiyim would be: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam Vetzivanu al N’tilat Yadiyim.Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe who commands us to n’tilat yadiyim.Dan C
I will try to find the exact Talmud passage that speaks about it but I know in some of my learning we have found many passages in Jewish literature about washing of the hands. The Zohar (Take with a grain of salt) has allot detail on the subject on washing of the hands when waking up and before praying. I know the Talmud talks about it also in great length. The Talmud uses several passages to talk about this subject. I want to address the question you asked about if it is possible that if this was not a command from did Yeshua break the by adding to it or by taking away.
I think we agree that it points strongly that Yeshua did indeed do the Ritual Handwashing; Nefilat Yadayim.
I think we need to look at the passage of scripture and we can see that His criticism is that they were not addressing the weightier matters of why holding their traditions to a higher authority.
I personally see this as He was not attacking the tradition but rather giving it some authority as long as the was being upheld to the highest of standards.
Under Jewish Law it prohibits the eating of bread before washing the hands, it prohibits prayer before washing of the hands (Rubbing in the dirt or tree bark is ok if water is not available to a person traveling) The subject does go deep into Jewish culture.
I see a messianic way of looking at the washing of the hands that I will share.
When we wake up the first thing that is supposed to be on our lips is the Modeh Ani, I will share it,
The Modeh Ani prayer:
Transliteration: Modeh Ani Lefonecha Melech Chai Vikayom, Shehechezarta Bi Nishmasi Bechemlah. Rabah Emunashecho.
Translation: I offer thanks to You, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me; Your faithfulness is great
So by His grace our soul awakens in the morning from our sleep. After this prayer has been said it is custom to wash the hands.
Alternating between the right and left hand each hand is washed three times each.
I see each hand represents something. Let's look at the ,
Deuteronomy 30:15 (Complete Jewish Bible)
15 "Look! I am presenting you today with, on the one hand, life and good; and on the other, death and evil -
So in one hand we have LIFE and the other we have DEATH. So remember the three times each hand is to be washed right 
I think this also points to Yeshua and the Modeh Ani.
Let's look into the B'rit hadasha
Matthew 12:39-40
39 He replied, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign? No! None will be given to it but the sign of the prophet Yonah. 40 For just as Yonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea-monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the depths of the earth.
So we have three days and three nights and in the end of that time Resurrection. Each hand represents Life and Curses and as we awake we are thanking Hashem for giving us LIFE, we could have died in our sleep while resting but because of His grace we have LIFE.
So read the Modeh Ani, think of the hand washing, think of the sacrifice Yeshua made, and give thanks to Hashem for life!
It is the start of a new day you are separating that day as being Holy from the moment one awakes. We are to be likened to the Vessels in the Temple, the vessels required a mikvah before being used in the Temple. It is all just remembrance of all the great things Hashem had done for us another way to say thanks and set ourselves apart for the work of His hands.
Shalom!
Yedidyah
Here is a list of the basic washing practices in Judaism.
Netilat Yadayim Shacharit ("Raising [after ritually washing] the hands of the morning"), when getting up in the morning after a full night's sleep, or even after a lengthy nap, there is the custom to wash one's hands ritually by pouring a large cup of water over one's hands, alternating three times. In the custom of some communities, it is also done without a blessing after engaging in sexual intercourse or other seminal emission.
Netilat yadayim ("Raising [after ritually washing] the hands"), also known as Mayim Rishonim. which is done with a blessing, prior to eating any bread with a meal, and done without a blessing, after touching objects[ambiguous] that convey tumah (such as one's private parts, leather shoes, or a ritually unclean animal or insect or after paying a visit to a cemetery).[3]
Mayim acharonim ("After-waters") a law or custom of ritually washing off one's fingers after a meal, to protect oneself from touching the eyes with hazardous residue.[4]
During a Passover Seder, a third washing of netilat yadayim[5] is performed without any blessing being recited, before the eating of a vegetable, called karpas, prior to the main meal.
After visiting the bathroom, the ritual washing of one's hands as a symbol of both bodily cleanliness and of removing human impurity - see Netilat yadayim above.
Every Kohen present has his hands ritually washed in synagogue by the Levi'im (Levites) before uttering the Priestly Blessing in front of the congregation.
To remove tuma ("impurity") after cutting one's hair or nails
To remove tumat met ("impurity from death") after participating in a funeral procession, or entering a cemetery, or coming within four cubits of a corpse
Some communities observe a requirement for washing one's body (which may be done with tap water) after experiencing a seminal emission, including ejaculation or receiving seminal fluid during sexual intercourse since these activities make the man baal keri (one who is impure due to ejaculation.)
Other occasions require full immersion in a special body of water, such as a spring, stream, or mikveh:
By a married Jewish woman after her niddah period concludes following menstruation or other uterine bleeding and she wishes to resume conjugal relations with her husband. This requires special preparation.
The day before ("eve of") Yom Kippur and other Festivals
By some Orthodox Jews on Friday afternoons (in preparation for Shabbos)
When converting to Judaism.
Taharah, ("Purification"), the ritual washing and cleansing, and immersion in a mikveh according to some customs, of a Jew's body prior to burial.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2014 10:43:19 GMT -8
Wow that is a bit much for this brain.
Yedidyah,
What exactly is Zohar? Is this relating to Kabbalah or something totally different?
Also another question with regards to the ritual washings of the hands. Is most of the ritual washings biblical or is it man-made thinking that was added to what God had commanded? And if one were to wake up and before prayer, etc, isn't just washing the hands enough without having to go through all the rituals?
And does one really have to go through all the rituals? Sorry me new to this.
Moriah Ruth
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Post by Yedidyah on Jan 10, 2014 11:29:59 GMT -8
Wow that is a bit much for this brain. Yedidyah, What exactly is Zohar? Is this relating to Kabbalah or something totally different? Also another question with regards to the ritual washings of the hands. Is most of the ritual washings biblical or is it man-made thinking that was added to what God had commanded? And if one were to wake up and before prayer, etc, isn't just washing the hands enough without having to go through all the rituals? And does one really have to go through all the rituals? Sorry me new to this. Moriah Ruth Shalom! Yes Moriah the Zohar is where most of the Kabbalah teaching and thought comes from. That is why I said take it with a grain of salt. I don't personally recommend anyone to search out the Zohar since it does have some things we would never promote in any way. Some of the things were created before and they used it later for their own reasons. I don't think all the traditions are bad of course I would say the ritual washing of hands is Biblical inspired and if you feel it is something that would bring you closer to Hashem then I see nothing wrong with it but if you are worried about breaking by not doing it then don't worry since there are always weightier matters of to be concerned with. If one understands what I was talking about and sees a beauty in that then great if not then take a step a back and keep on studying His word. We can always learn much more from His word than anything I have to say Yedidyah |
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Post by alon on Jan 10, 2014 14:15:27 GMT -8
Appreciate the response, and that you are willing to look for the Talmudic reference. No rush on that, as you've pretty well covered the practice. But it would be good to have the reference and to be able to do a search for it and read the reference in context. I'm not the best with computers, so having actual passage references would help me search, as well as make sure I get the right (best?) passages to read from. ... I think we agree that it points strongly that Yeshua did indeed do the Ritual Handwashing; Nefilat Yadayim.I think we need to look at the passage of scripture and we can see that His criticism is that they were not addressing the weightier matters of why holding their traditions to a higher authority. I personally see this as He was not attacking the tradition but rather giving it some authority as long as the was being upheld to the highest of standards. Good point. I can see how this would be good; it would focus my thoughts on God first thing if it was habitually done. Honestly, my thoughts tend towards mayhem as my default to waking. This probably needs to change ...  I know I won't do all that is required by Jewish custom. For one thing, it would be an unnecessary strain on my marriage to get a neti cup if it is not biblically mandated. However saying the prayers as I wash (and I wash more than is required even by the traditions there), or thinking about it in cases where no prayer is "required," seems to me to be a good way to get my focus off the mundane or violent/angry/wrong. So I will adopt the practice in some form. ... I would say the ritual washing of hands is Biblical inspired and if you feel it is something that would bring you closer to Hashem then I see nothing wrong with it but if you are worried about breaking by not doing it then don't worry since there are always weightier matters of to be concerned with. If one understands what I was talking about and sees a beauty in that then great if not then take a step a back and keep on studying His word. We can always learn much more from His word than anything I have to say This is very similar to the advice of the rabbi I study under. Never hurts to get a second opinion or, as here, a solid confirmation! Actually, if there is any difference in opinions it usually turns out to be my understanding more than your views disagreeing. I feel truly blessed (especially as I know how difficult this all is without help) to have found you and the weekly class about 20 mi away. Now if I could only convince one of you to move a shul here ...  Just quickly, do you see anything wrong with cupping the hands immediately after washing with soap and saying a prayer, thus making the hands the neti-cup? Dan C |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2014 16:55:07 GMT -8
Thank you Yedidyah, for your information.
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Post by Yedidyah on Jan 12, 2014 9:57:26 GMT -8
Shalom!
alon I had told you I would get the Talmudic references for the washing of hands.
First one I would point you towards is in Berkhot 53B as a starting point. The debate goes on between Hillel and Shammai on how it is to be done and when. Berkhot goes into the Morning duties and more in 60B. There are other areas that it still talks about it but those are some of the main ones.
Shalom!
Yedidyah
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Post by alon on Apr 10, 2014 16:36:35 GMT -8
Shalom! alon I had told you I would get the Talmudic references for the washing of hands. First one I would point you towards is in Berkhot 53B as a starting point. The debate goes on between Hillel and Shammai on how it is to be done and when. Berkhot goes into the Morning duties and more in 60B. There are other areas that it still talks about it but those are some of the main ones. Shalom! Yedidyah I somehow missed this when you posted it. After a lot of searching, I went to www.toseftaonline.org/blog/?s=Berachot+53B+ and got an argument about whether holding a candle to your bosm would ignite your clothing. I do n'tilat yadiyim now, however I use my hands in an alternating manner instead of the netti cup. I know the vessel is supposed to be sacred, set apart for holy use. But I pray beforehand for help in keeping the works of my hands holy. It is a good, constant reminder for me to mend my ways. Must be doing something right, because I've come under attack quite frequently since I started it. Rabbi S convinced me when he said that n'tilat yadayim is tevilah for the hands, and since we don't have access to a mikvah right now it is very important to do. But thanks for the reply. Sorry it took so long to get back. Dan (slow) C |
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-teachers from Yerushalayim came to Yeshua and asked him, 2 "Why is it that your talmidim break the Tradition of the Elders? They don't do n'tilat-yadayim before they eat!""
