Question: One who uses the restroom, needs to perform Netilat Yadayim, and then intends to sit down to a bread meal, is there any room to allow one Netilat Yadayim?
Answer: This issue is subject to a great debate among the Poskim regarding the correct procedure, but first, let us discuss the issue at hand.
The Obligation to Wash One’s Hands Twice
The Rishonim disagree whether a person (man or woman; there is no distinction between them regarding this law) who is obligated in two hand-washings can wash once and that will suffice for both or perhaps, one must wash two separate times.
According to Rabbeinu Yaakov bar Yakar, since the Sages instituted Netilat Yadayim for a bread meal in addition to the Netilat Yadayim required after using the facilities, these are considered two different Mitzvot incumbent on the person and one handwashing will not suffice.
Similarly, Rabbeinu Meir of Rottenberg (quoted by the Tur, Chapter 165) rules that one must perform two hand-washings, however, he adds that in theory, one could fulfill both obligations with one hand-washing. The only problem with that would be that one would then need to recite the “Asher Yatzar” immediately and that would constitute an interruption between the Netilat Yadayim and the blessing of “Al Netilat Yadayim.” Therefore, one should perform two separate hand-washings. After the first, one would recite “Asher Yatzar” and after the second, one would recite “Al Netilat Yadayim” for the bread meal.
Some Rishonim maintain that one should perform only one Netilat Yadayim and this would exempt both obligations of washing for having used the restroom and for a bread meal.
The Bottom Line
Halachically speaking, Maran Haa’Shulchan Aruch rules in accordance with the opinion of Rabbeinu Yaakov bar Yakar that such a person must wash two separate times. After the first handwashing, one recites the “Asher Yatzar” blessing and after the second, the “Al Netilat Yadayim” blessing.
Although other alternatives exist in the words of the Poskim, since many of them are not so relevant to the reality nowadays, we shall not delve into them.
The Procedure for the First Netilat Yadayim
We must now deal with another issue. If one performs Netilat Yadayim after having used the restroom, this means that he has fulfilled his obligation to wash his hands for a bread meal as well. How then can we instruct him now to wash his hands a second time and then recite the “Al Netilat Yadayim” blessing after he has already done this handwashing in a halachically valid manner?
Thus, several Acharonim, among them the Magen Avraham, write that the first Netilat Yadayim one performs after using the restroom should not be a halachically valid one, meaning that one should not use a washing cup like one would for bread; rather, one should wash one’s hands directly from the faucet. In this way, one would not have fulfilled the handwashing for a bread meal, recite the “Asher Yatzar” blessing, perform a second Netilat Yadayim with a washing cup, and finally recite the “Al Netilat Yadayim” blessing. (Ohr Le’Zion)
There is another option quoted by Rabbeinu Yosef Haim in his Ben Ish Hai (Parashat Shemini) and other Acharonim which is that after the initial handwashing, one should touch a covered part of one’s body (such as the chest area) and then perform a second Netilat Yadayim, as discussed above. In this way, one avoids all doubt.
Summary: One who uses the restroom and wishes to sit down to a bread meal right after should wash one’s hands without a washing cup (preferably three times off on each hand) and then recite the “Asher Yatzar” blessing. It is then preferable to touch a covered part of one’s body and then wash one’s hands again using a washing cup and then recite the “Al Netilat Yadayim” blessing.
