Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Aaron and his sons need to wash their hands and feet before serving in the Mishkan?
A: According to Rashi (Exodus 30:19), washing hands and feet was required before performing any service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) to teach the importance of approaching holy service with purity and reverence. The Kohanim (priests) had to be physically and spiritually clean when serving Hashem.
Q: What is the significance of washing both hands and feet in this verse?
A: The Talmud (Zevachim 19b) explains that washing both hands and feet symbolizes complete purification - hands represent action, and feet represent movement. Together, they teach that every aspect of our service to Hashem must be done with holiness and proper intention.
Q: Does this washing have any connection to Netilat Yadayim (ritual hand washing) today?
A: While the Kohanim's washing was specific to Temple service, Rambam (Hilchot Tefillah 4:2) connects this to the concept of washing hands before prayer today. Just as the Kohanim purified themselves before service, we wash our hands before approaching Hashem in prayer.
Q: Why was this commandment given specifically to Aaron and his sons?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 37:2) teaches that since the Kohanim served as intermediaries between the Jewish people and Hashem, they needed extra measures of purity. This washing reminded them of their special responsibility and the holiness required for their service.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 106) explains that this teaches us to prepare properly before any important spiritual act. Just as the Kohanim prepared through washing, we should approach mitzvot and prayer with proper mental and physical preparation.
Source and Context
The verse (Shemot 30:19) appears in the context of the construction of the Kiyor (laver), a copper basin used by the Kohanim (priests) for ritual washing before performing service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). This mitzvah is repeated in Vayikra (Leviticus) regarding the daily service in the Mishkan.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Shemot 30:19) explains that the washing of hands and feet was obligatory before any service in the Mishkan. He emphasizes that this was not merely for cleanliness but a mitzvah (commandment) to sanctify oneself before divine service. Rashi further notes that the phrase "מִמֶּנּוּ" ("thereat") teaches that the washing had to be done specifically from the water of the Kiyor, not from any other vessel.
Rambam's Halachic Perspective
In Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash (5:1-3), the Rambam (Maimonides) codifies this law, stating that a Kohen who serves without washing his hands and feet is liable for karet (divine excision). He explains that this washing symbolizes purification from worldly matters before engaging in sacred duties.
Symbolism in Midrashic Literature
Practical Halachic Implications
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 4:18) extends this concept to the modern practice of Netilat Yadayim (ritual handwashing) for prayer, deriving from this verse the principle that one must purify oneself before standing before Hashem in prayer, just as the Kohanim did before service in the Mishkan.
Chassidic Interpretation
The Sefat Emet (Parshat Tetzaveh) explains that washing hands and feet represents the purification of both action (hands) and movement/direction in life (feet). Before serving Hashem, one must sanctify both one's deeds and one's path in life.