Hand Washing
Washing before a meal is a healthy habit. Here it is included as a sign that we are ready to begin.
Cultivating Mindfulness
Cleansing before prayer is a rite observed in many cultures. In Judaism, washing occurs prior to breaking bread on the Sabbath and during other festive meals. A ritual ablution — or a Mikveh — is also performed prior to life-cycle events, such as a marriage or conversion.
In the Buddhist tradition, washing is a profound ceremonial practice. It is not the act itself that moves one to experience satori. This comes from the ability to integrate presence of mind with the action at hand.
Indeed, washing, like many practices in Buddhism, is not only an opportunity for purification, but for cultivating conscious awareness.
As we wash our hands tonight, even this seemingly small act can invite a moment of mindfulness. Let each of us make an intention to be extra aware of the sensation of the water gracing our hands; the comforting warmth of the cloth as we dry them; and the blessing of being able to share this evening’s observance with one another.
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Passover Guide
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