Q&A: Hand Washing
Hand Washing
Question
Hello Rabbi.
Is there an opinion in Jewish law that one does not need to wash hands for less than an olive-bulk? Nowadays, that would be one slice of bread. More than an olive-bulk requires washing without a blessing, and two slices require washing with a blessing.
If so, my son tells me on Sabbath eve that he does not need to wash his hands since he is not eating more than one slice of bread. Is that really the case?
Answer
See here, section 2:
https://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/8672
But for the Sabbath meal one should establish the meal on at least an olive-bulk or an egg-bulk. See, for example, here:
http://halachayomit.co.il/he/default.aspx?HalachaID=383
If it is very difficult for him, he can eat less than the minimum measure of foods with which establishing a meal is relevant (bread, challah, or baked grain foods), and regarding hand washing in such a case, see above.