Q&A: Final Waters and a Father's Custom
Final Waters and a Father's Custom
Question
Hello Rabbi,
My father has the practice of washing final waters before Grace after Meals. The custom of washing final waters is, as you already know, because of Sodomite salt, which Tosafot says was found in certain places. What concern is there about Sodomite salt today? Am I obligated to continue this enactment? It did not become widespread among the Jewish people, it was instituted for certain places, and it was also instituted because of what was, as far as I know, scientific information in their time (they were concerned that perhaps one would touch his eyes and go blind).
Thank you!
Answer
Hello,
In the Shulchan Arukh itself both opinions are brought (see at the end of the section, where it says that some had the practice not to wash). Therefore, one who refrains from this has authorities to rely on. By the way, not everyone agrees that it is because of Sodomite salt, but indeed it seems that nowadays there is no good reason for it. And another aside: it actually did become widespread. Perhaps you mean to say that nowadays it is not so common, but that already brings us into the topic of an enactment that became widespread and then later fell out of practice.