Ask the Rabbi
- Halacha
- Netilat Yadayim - Hand Washing
- When Awakening
Question
When is the latest that one may say Al Netilat Yadayim? For instance if one already used the bathroom and washed their hands and ate breakfast, should they still wash?
Answer
The "lateness" of the hour is not a determining factor. If you have already washed your hands from the tap and later you remember that you haven't done "Netilat Yadayim" three times on each hand with a cup or other vessel, do it when you remember, but without reciting a bracha (see Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayyim 4 and Mishna Berura there).

Waking up and needing to use bathroom
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Iyyar 1, 5775

Washing hands at alot ha’shachar when staying up all night
Rabbi David Sperling | Adar 21, 5775

Hand Washing in the Morning
Various Rabbis | 7 Nisan 5766



