The washing of the hands symbolizes the removal of defilement and impurity, and the restoration of spiritual cleanliness. It also serves as a reminder of the ancient Temple service in which the Kohen was required to wash his hands before beginning the daily ritual.
Shemot 30:20 Whenever they come to the Ohel Moed, they shall wash with water and not die, or when they approach the Mizbeach to serve, to raise up in smoke a fire-offering to Hashem.
The Hebrew word that normally would be used for "washing hands" is rochetz yadayim, but instead in the blessing it is al netilat yadayim, which literally means "the lifting up of the hands." This symbolizes that the hands are "lifted" to a higher level and are being consecrated for nobler deeds in fulfillment of G-d's mitzvot. We wash them out of respect to our Maker
Talmud Bavli - Shabbat 50b As what was taught: One must wash his face, hands, and feet daily in his Maker's honor, for it is said, Hashem has made every thing for his own purpose. Mishlei 16:4.
Contemporary practice is to pour water on each hand three times for most purposes using a cup, and alternating the hands between each occurrence; this ritual is now known by the Yiddish term negel vasser, meaning nail water. This Yiddish term is also used for a special cup used for such washing.
Washing of hands is good and a healthy practice.. so why did Yeshua choose it as an example of going too far?
Matthew 15:2
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
Mark 7:3
The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.
We know there is Torah commandments to wash hands and feet..
Exodus 30:19
Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it.
Exodus 30:18-20 (in Context) Exodus 30 (Whole Chapter)
Exodus 30:21
they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.”
Exodus 40:31
and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash their hands and feet.
Leviticus 15:11
“‘Anyone the man with a discharge touches without rinsing his hands with water must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening.
Deuteronomy 21:6
Then all the elders of the town nearest the body shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley,
Job 9:30
Even if I washed myself with soap and my hands with cleansing powder,
Shemot 30:20 Whenever they come to the Ohel Moed, they shall wash with water and not die, or when they approach the Mizbeach to serve, to raise up in smoke a fire-offering to Hashem.
The Hebrew word that normally would be used for "washing hands" is rochetz yadayim, but instead in the blessing it is al netilat yadayim, which literally means "the lifting up of the hands." This symbolizes that the hands are "lifted" to a higher level and are being consecrated for nobler deeds in fulfillment of G-d's mitzvot. We wash them out of respect to our Maker
Talmud Bavli - Shabbat 50b As what was taught: One must wash his face, hands, and feet daily in his Maker's honor, for it is said, Hashem has made every thing for his own purpose. Mishlei 16:4.
Contemporary practice is to pour water on each hand three times for most purposes using a cup, and alternating the hands between each occurrence; this ritual is now known by the Yiddish term negel vasser, meaning nail water. This Yiddish term is also used for a special cup used for such washing.
Washing of hands is good and a healthy practice.. so why did Yeshua choose it as an example of going too far?
Matthew 15:2
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
Mark 7:3
The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.
We know there is Torah commandments to wash hands and feet..
Exodus 30:19
Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it.
Exodus 30:18-20 (in Context) Exodus 30 (Whole Chapter)
Exodus 30:21
they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.”
Exodus 40:31
and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash their hands and feet.
Leviticus 15:11
“‘Anyone the man with a discharge touches without rinsing his hands with water must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening.
Deuteronomy 21:6
Then all the elders of the town nearest the body shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley,
Job 9:30
Even if I washed myself with soap and my hands with cleansing powder,
but rather shotef yadayim (שׁוֹטֵף יָדַיִים
