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PICTURE IN YOUR MIND THAT HASHEM IS WATCHING EVERYTHING YOU DO.



"V'lechem l'vav enohsh yis-od" (Tehillim 104:15)
The Rabbis considered bread so important because it is the food which satisfies a person and keeps him alive, as it says, "Bread nourishes (supports) a man's heart." For this reason, the Rabbis decreed that a special brocha should be said before eating bread. We say the brocha, "Hamohtzi lechem min ho-oretz (who causes bread to grow from the land). (Shulchan Oruch Harav 167:1)
Before eating bread we should wash our hands. In the time of the Bais Hamikdosh, the Kohanim washed their hands before eating T'rumah (grain that has been set aside for the Kohanim), so that the T'rumah would not become "tomay" (spiritually impure) when they touched it. The Rabbis also made it a custom for everyone to wash their hands, for the sake of the Kohanim. In this way, when the Bais Hamikdosh is rebuilt (we pray that it will be quickly, in our days), the Kohanim will be in the habit of washing their hands before eating, and in this way, they will not make the T'rumah "tomay". Another reason for washing hands is cleanliness. (Mishnah Berurah 158:1)
Washing Hands: The cup that is used to wash the hands is first held in the left hand and water is poured on the right hand two times. Then, the cup is held in the right hand and water is poured over the left hand twice. He makes the brocha "Al N'tiylas Yodoyim", while his hands are still wet, and then takes a towel to dry his hands. He then makes the brocha "Hamohtzi", and eats a piece of bread.

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