Handwashing in Judaism

See also: Ritual washing in Judaism

Jewish law and custom prescribe ritual hand washing in a number of situations. This practice is generally known by the Hebrew term netilath yadayim (Hebrew: נטילת ידיים), which means "taking up of the hands."

The Talmud used the requirement of handwashing in Leviticus 15:11, "And whomsoever he that hath the issue toucheth, without having rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even", as a hint for general handwashing law, using the principle of asmakhta or "allusion."

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