Triumph of Textualism over Tradition

Originally published 9/25/07, 1:35 PM, Eastern Daylight TIme

Why Wash BEFORE Kiddush? - A Lost Tradition!

Pursuant to an earlier post, "Washing before Kiddush", I received a link to an article by my colleague Gil Student: [gil_student@hotmail.com]...

In the old days, there was a very widespread custom that was stamped out by leading rabbis who felt that it did not sufficiently conform to the Talmud. This despite explicit approval of the practice by scholars of the highest tier.

No, I am not referring to any example of the so-called Haredization of the Jewish community in the twentieth century. I am talking about a development in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and the practice is washing one's hands (with a blessing) prior to reciting kiddush over wine and then proceeding directly to reciting a blessing over the hallah.

See the entire article at: Hirhurim, "A Triumph of Textualism."

My online response is "we have lost our way!" :-)

Note: Gil Students' Blog Hirhurim, since moved to Torah Musings - like the Nishmablog - is dedicated in informing and enlightening people re: Torah values . In that sense we have common cause. i.e. To educate and not to infuriate!