- Family and Society
- Burial and the Cemetery
Washing after funeral
Question
Why do people wash their hands after a funeral?
Answer
Thank you for your question,
The reason for washing hands after a funeral is that there are bad spirits (שדים) that can negatively affect someone who enters into a cemetery or who participates in the funeral (Magen Avraham, 4:20, Mishna Berura 4:42). Someone who didn't go into the actual cemetery but just participated in the funeral, only needs to do netilat yadaim (hand washing) if he was within four amot (approximately 2 meters) of the dead person (see Pri Megadim Eshel Avraham 4:21 ,and Kaf Hachaim 4:77). However, according to the Chazon Ish, anyone who participated in the funeral needs to do netilat yadaim (hand washing) , even if he was not within four amot of the dead (dinim vehanhagot, yoreh deah 4; 25).
All the best

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Rabbi Daniel Kirsch
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch studied for many years at the famed Mercaz HaRav yeshiva in Jerusalem. He currently lives in Kedumim in the Shomron, where he studies at the yeshiva and teaches classes for adults. In addition, he teaches at an elementary school.
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