Question

1 One of those considered a leading halakhic decisor of our generation—among some holy communities he is the decisor—wrote in his book that all the laws of breaking bread, etc., are basically just “eat politely,” and that there is really no need to get into every detail, but simply to eat politely, according to what is considered polite in each generation.
Does the Rabbi agree with him?
2.
A great Torah scholar, exceptionally learned and expert in the laws of sacrifices and purity, gave a lecture and explained why ritual hand-washing only complicates the laws of impurity and purity and is really not helpful at all. It was a long lecture on principles and details of the law, which most people are not expert in, and as expected people were dozing off, and then he whispered something to the effect that according to Maimonides his view is that it is really only for cleanliness and nothing more.
Does the Rabbi also hold that way?