Q. Dearest Rabbi Shlit”a. My grandfather is already in an old age home as he has very limited abilities. He requested to have every morning someone to wash his hands three times as required. Can a non-Jewish nurse do that for him?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 159: 11) rules that a Gentile can pour the water on the hands for even washing hands for eating bread. Mishna Berura (11) quotes some opinions that on the onset it is better not to be lenient.
Chazon Ish (O.H. 23:8) that we do not find anyone who is actually strict on this. Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a after indicating the above mentioned, that for washing hands after sleep in the morning, all would agree to be lenient.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
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