Friday, February 17, 2017

halacha - If I wake up before dawn, do I wash my hands with a blessing?


If one wakes up in the middle of the night or at least before dawn, does he wash and make al netilat yadayim? Also, at what point can one say birkot hashachar? I'd like to wake up extra early to do some study before Shacharit. Additionally, is there a separate ruling for one who wakes in the middle of the night for a glass of water?



Answer



One who wakes up before dawn (alos hashachar) should wash netilas yadayim without a bracha (Shulchan Aruch OC, 4:14).


Getting out of bed in the middle of the night has the same halacha as getting up before dawn. [In fact this applies even after awakening from a nap during the day.] One should wash netilas yadayim without a bracha. Even if it is just to get a drink, it is preferable not to walk even four amos (6-8 feet) without washing.


Birchos Hashachar may be said from Alos Hashachar. But the custom today is to recite them at arrival to shul in the morning (Shulchan Aruch OC, 46:1-2).


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