The Morning Netilat Yadayim – What to Do Immediately After Pouring the Water Over the Hands

When washing Netilat Yadayim in the morning, one pours water three times on each hand, in alternating fashion. Some, as we have seen, pour four times on each hand. Immediately after the final pouring, one should rub his hands together three times. The fingers should be held upright – without being bent downward – while they are rubbed together. Afterward, one should hold his hands upright parallel to his face – making sure not to lift them above his head – with his elbows in front of his chest, as opposed to at his sides. He should then recite the Beracha of "Al Netilat Yadayim," with his palms open, as though receiving "Shefa" (bounty) from the heavens, and dry his hands. Some people have the practice of reciting verses at the time of the morning hand-washing. It is more correct, however, not to follow this practice, since one should not utter words of Torah before reciting Birkat Ha'Torah in the morning. If one hand is bandaged, and cannot be washed, the person washes the other hand in the morning, pouring water three times on that hand.