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category:  Jewish Law

Handwashing for an Onen

The Rav Name: Rabbis of the Da’at Institute
  • Question

Is a person allowed to wash his hands in the manner of Jewish ritual while he is in the category of onen (a person whose close relative died and has not been buried yet)?

  • Answer
The law is that a person in the category of onen should wash his hands ritually before eating, but without saying a blessing, for although he is not obligated to keep mitzvot at this time, it is nevertheless forbidden to eat without washing.

Sources

מ”ב סי’ ע”א סק”ד