Must One Wash Netilat Yadayim After a Daytime Nap?

The question of whether one is required to wash Netilat Yadayim after sleeping during the day would, seemingly, depend on the different opinions as to the reason for the morning Netilat Yadayim obligation. The Rosh maintained that washing is required after sleep due to the likelihood that one's hands came in contact with unclean body parts during the night. According to this opinion, it should make no difference whether one slept during the day or during the night, and under all circumstances, a person who slept must then wash Netilat Yadayim. The Rashba, however, understood that we wash our hands in the morning to prepare for our day of service to Hashem, just like the Kohanim would wash before entering the Bet Ha'mikdash to perform the service. This explanation would likely require washing only in the morning, after sleeping at night, and not after a daytime nap. The third reason is that of the Kabbalists, who taught that impure forces descend upon a person's hands while he sleeps. There is a difference of opinion as to whether this occurs even when one sleeps during the day. The Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806), citing his ancestor, the Hesed Le'Abraham, writes that the hands become contaminated as a result of daytime sleep just like during sleep at night. Others, however, including Rav Haim Palachi (Turkey, 1788-1868), maintained that the forces of impurity descend specifically when one sleeps at night. Regardless, in light of these different opinions, it is proper after a daytime nap to wash Netilat Yadayim – three times on each hand in alternating fashion – but without reciting a Beracha. It is preferable not to touch food after waking up from a daytime nap before washing. One may, however, walk four Amot before washing, and touch his eyes and other openings to his body, even though this must be avoided in the morning before Netilat Yadayim. As mentioned in a previous installment, the generally accepted view is that a half-hour nap qualifies as a significant period of sleep. Therefore, one who slept less than a half-hour during the day is not required to wash Netilat Yadayim. Hacham David Yosef, in Halacha Berura, writes that if one napped during the day in a sitting position, then he is not required to wash his hands after waking, even if he slept for longer than a half-hour. Rav Yisrael Bitan, however, questioned this ruling. Summary: One who napped during the day for thirty minutes or more should wash Netilat Yadayim upon waking, but without reciting the Beracha. Different opinions exist as to whether washing is required after one napped while seated, without lying down.