...Continued from previous week
1) When putting on an article of clothing, it is proper to hold both sides of the garment in the right hand and then put on the right side and then the left side. (Mishna Berura Siman 2:4. See Sha’ar HaTziyun Os 10 that this is based on kabalistic teachings which tell us that the “right” is the side of Rachamim, heavenly compassion and the “left” is the side of din, heavenly Judgment, and thus when we initially place the entire garment in the right hand, we bring compassion to the entire garment, even the left side. See also Kaf HaChaim Siman 2:7)
2) There is no differentiation between righties and lefties regarding this Halacha, as it has nothing to do with any hand, rather with a “side” of heavenly compassion which is the same for all people.
3) Some people (common in Chasidic circles) are stringent, based on the kabalistic reasons cited above, when buttoning their shirts, jackets or coats to make sure the buttons are on the left side and the button holes on the right side to ensure that the right side of the garment lays on top of the left side.
Women’s clothing are usually manufactured this way, while men’s clothing are usually manufactured the opposite way, and need to be custom made [or bought in Chasidic clothing stores] in order to adhere to this kabalistic custom. (See Shu”t Teshuvos V’Hanhagos Vol. 1 Siman 453. See also Orchos Rabbeinu page 227 that the Chazon Ish Zatzal and the Steipler Zatzal were very makpid on this.)
4) Here too, there is no difference between righties and lefties, and if one is stringent with this he should have the buttons on the left side even if he is a lefty.
5) When cleaning the hands, the right hand should be washed first. (Mishna Berura Siman 2:7)
When showering or otherwise washing the entire body, the head should be washed first, as it is the king of all the limbs, and is then followed by the right hand, left hand, right foot left foot. (ibid. and Halichos Shlomo, Tefilah, Perek 2 footnote 30 in Dvar Halacha. See also Rambam Hilchos Dei’os Perek 4:16)
6) All of the aforementioned Halachos apply equally to righties and lefties. (See Mishna Berura Siman 2:6 and Siman 4:22. See also Shu”t Be’er Moshe Vol. 2 Siman 3:1)
Many Poskim are of the opinion that nowadays it is not necessary to wash in any particular order. However, many Poskim do say that if possible to stick to this order it is still praiseworthy. (See Mogen Avraham Siman 2:4, Halichos Shlomo ibid.)
7) After using the restroom, a right handed person should not use his right hand to clean himself. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 3:10)
One reason for this is that the right hand is used to tie the Tefilin onto the left hand, and thus should not be used for such an unclean task. Also, the right hand is used for eating, writing and for assisting the Ba’al Korei in reading the Torah and other holy tasks. (See Talmud Brachos 62a and Rashi there, Aruch HaShulchan Siman 3:7 and Mishna Berura Siman 3:17)
Even when using the left hand, the middle finger should not be used as the strap of the Tefilin is wrapped around that finger. (Mishna Berura ibid. quoting the Shla HaKadosh)
A left handed person, who uses his left hand to tie the Tefilin onto his right hand, should use his right hand to clean himself and not use the middle finger. (Regarding an ambidextrous person, see Biur Halacha Siman 3 Dibur Hamaschil Yemin)
8) According to some Poskim, nowadays when we have toilet paper, it isn’t necessary to follow the above guidelines, and they maintain that it is better to use the stronger hand rather than risk soiling the hands by using the weaker hand. (See Shu”t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 7 Siman 2:2. However, the Kaf HaChaim Siman 3:22 maintains that this is in effect nowadays as well. Rav Chaim Kanievsky Zatzal also ruled that it applies nowadays as well.)
According to some Poskim, the above applies to women as well, even though they do not wear Tefilin, as there are other Kabalistic reasons for this as well. (See Ben Ish Chai Parashas VaYeitzei Siman 14 and Kaf HaChaim Siman 3:23. Other Poskim, including the Chida and the Har Tzvi, are lenient and rule that women need not be concerned with this and may use any hand)
...to be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
