Myth or fact: Rewashing info for bread

Myth: If I wash for bread and then interrupt and speak before saying Hamotzie, I have to wash again; perhaps I even have to repeat the brachah of Al Netilas Yadayim.

Fact: There are two levels of disruption when ritually washing for bread.

The first is when a hefsek (interruption) occurs between washing and reciting the brachah of Al Netilas Yadayim. This is similar to a hefsek made between any brachah on a mitzvah and its performance (even though in the case of washing, the brachah is recited after the fact). Such an interruption is strictly forbidden by halachah, as it invalidates the association between brachah and mitzvah. Some poskim require a second washing in this situation.

A second type of hefsek is one that is made between reciting the brachah of Al Netilas Yadayim and the brachah of Hamotzie. We are encouraged to refrain from talking before making Hamotzie. But such a disruption does not require washing again. #593

https://halacha2go.com?number=593

Practical Halacha: One minute a day. By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D'asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights.