LAWS ON WASHING OF THE HANDS
17. The laws of the washing of hands are the last code but one of the Mishna. One scholarly rabbi of modern times has this to say concerning these laws: “These laws rest entirely on the authority of tradition, as no commandment of the Pentateuch is quoted or adduced in their support by the Mishna.”
18. Nevertheless, when the hands are washed the person is obliged to offer the following prayer: “Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hath sanctified us in His
commandments, and hath commanded us concerning the washing of the hands.” Thus the people are made to believe that this law, while given by men, has the authority of God back of it. The rabbis themselves claim that the institution of this ordinance is from themselves; this we find in the New Testament as well as in the Mishna. Thus the traditions of men were made to appear as the commandments of God. Mark 7: 3, 4, 8, 9, 13.
19. The first thing necessary in the washing of the hands must be the water. Four things must be attended to: 1. The right kind of water; that is, it must be lawful for this service. 2. There must be just enough for both the hands, which was about a quart; no more, no less. 3. The vessel from which the water is to be poured must be of a certain kind. 4. The person who does the pouring must have sufficient force back of him that the water shall flow properly, proportionately, and according to the time. Of course each one of these four definitions has a great many explanations as to the kind of water that was lawful, and which was not allowed. The kind of water which was used for manufacturing purposes was not allowed. It was therefore necessary to define the kinds of water which were non-permissible for manufacturing purposes, etc.
20. It was the same with the other three divisions. The same measurements for a quart were not regarded in everything, hence a proper knowledge of measurements must be gained.
21. Then there were certain restrictions as to the water, even though it were permissible for
washing of hands. If it were used by those who were troubled with certain impediments, it was not lawful. The kinds of impediments are treated in another section of the Mishna, known as “The Laws of Ablutions.”
22. It was also necessary to know just how far the hands must be washed, or the fists dipped. Then it must be known how much salt the bread would contain which was to be eaten after the hands were washed; also the kind of salt which was expected to go into it. Matthew 15:10-12, 16-20; Mark 7:14-22.
23. If his hands touched a certain object after he washed but before he dried them and said the blessing, they were unclean; if he touched certain other things before he wiped them and said the blessing, they were lawful.
24. If he washed the hands, and spoke to some one before lie dried them and said the blessing, they were unclean; he must wash them again.
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25. The most strict accuracy must be considered in the washing of the hands, and in the proper observance of all these laws. Severe penalties were attached if these laws were not implicitly obeyed.
26. It is related in the treatise “Berachoth,” or Blessing, that a prominent man who despised this law of the washing of hands, was excommunicated. When he died, the tribunal sent a number of men, and placed upon his coffin a heap of stones, as a memorial to the people that whoever despised these laws of the wise men, and did not wash their hands, would be stoned to death, in addition to being considered an outcast among Israel.
27. It is not at all surprising then that the Pharisees came to Jesus in surprise and asked Him why He and His disciples disregarded the laws of the scribes and Pharisees by not washing the hands. Jesus, however, came to make men free; and for this reason He answered them as He did.
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