Morning Blessings: Yafeh Sha’ah: Washing Hands

The 8th of Tammuz is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Shlomo (ben Yehuda) HaKohen (1827), a great mekubal who wrote Yafeh Sha’ah. Anytime we spend without full awareness and mental clarity is an opportunity for Kelipot, or Shells to form around our souls and mute the influence of all the good that we will do during the day.

We therefore begin the day with washing our hands and reciting the blessing which has thirteen words that correspond to the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy that empower us to break and remove the shells that formed while we were sleeping.