The “Asher Yatzar” blessing was enacted by our Sages to be recited after one uses the facilities. After one washes one’s hands, one recites this blessing which is meant as praise to Hashem regarding the creation of the human body. This blessing is printed in all Siddurim at the beginning of the morning blessings.
Washing Three Times
According to the letter of the law, one need not wash one’s hands three times from a vessel the way one would in the morning upon awakening; rather, a regular handwashing is sufficient. This can indeed be inferred from the words of Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch. However, some are of the opinion that this handwashing must also be performed three times and they bring a proof to their opinion from the holy Zohar.
On the other hand, Maran Ha’Chida in his Machazik Beracha (Subsection 6) rebuffs this proof by saying that the Zohar is referring to the morning handwashing whereas a regular handwashing is sufficient after using the restroom. He concludes, however, that “we have seen elderly sages who have washed their hands three times.” The saintly Shelah rules likewise that this handwashing must be done three times.
Nevertheless, halachically speaking, we follow the ruling of Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch that there is no obligation to do so; rather, washing one’s hands once from the faucet is sufficient. One who is stringent and washes his hands three times is certainly praiseworthy. This is indeed the custom of Maran zt”l who washes his hands three times similar to the morning handwashing.
Washing Using a Vessel
The Eliyah Rabba writes in the name of Rabbeinu Chaim Ha’Kohen that although one should wash his hands three times, it is nonetheless unnecessary to wash them specifically using a vessel; rather, one may just wash one’s hands (in the regular manner) three times and this is sufficient. This can also be inferred from the words of Rabbeinu Yosef Haim in his Ben Ish Hai (Vayetze, Section 5). This would also apply according to the aforementioned opinion of Maran Ha’Chida (although he does not write this distinction specifically).
Hagaon Harav Shlomo Amar Shlit”a (Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and former Rishon Le’Zion) writes in his Responsa Shema Shlomo (Volume 2, Chapter 1) that it is worthy to act stringently and use a vessel for this hand-washing as well. Nevertheless, many of the greatest Poskim of the generation disagree with his position. Indeed, Hagaon Harav Meir Mazuz Shlit”a testifies that the custom of his holy father Hagaon Harav Matzliach Mazuz zt”l was not to be meticulous to wash his hands using a vessel; rather, he would just wash his hands three times and that was sufficient for him. Similarly, Hagaon Harav David Yosef Shlit”a writes in his Halacha Berura (Page 127) that he has seen how Maran zt”l was not be meticulous to wash his hands specifically using a vessel. We have also heard that this is the custom of Hagaon Harav Shalom Cohen zt”l, Rosh Yeshivat Porat Yosef, that although he washes his hands three times, nevertheless, he is not careful to do so using a vessel.
Conclusion: It is sufficient for one to wash his hands from the faucet once (as long as the water used amounts to a Revi’it which is approximately 2.7 ounces) and many have the pious custom to wash their hands three times from the faucet. Some say that as an added measure of piety, one should wash specifically using a vessel.
