259 Learning Torah prior to Hand-washing
The Shulchan Aruch, Code of Jewish Law, enumerates a number of activities after which we are required to wash our hands, either because of a ruach ra’ah, negative spirit, or for nekiyus, cleanliness. Following these activities, we should not engage in davening, learning Torah, or saying brachos prior to washing our hands. Nonetheless, it is known that due to the gravity of bitul Torah, neglecting Torah study, many Gedolei Yisroel would continue learning Torah after they had their nails cut, or while taking a haircut (as long as their heads were covered) before having washed their hands. Likewise, they would continue to learn after leaving the mikvah or bathhouse before having washed their hands, but they would do so at the earliest opportunity in order to prevent the ruach hatumah, the spirit of impurity, from resting on their hands any longer than absolutely necessary. 259?1
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