Do Jewish people have to wash themselves before praying and reading their holy books?
Not before praying; however, washing does play a role in a variety of other rituals: Women (obligatory in Orthodox Judaism and Conservative Judaism): –Following the niddah period after menstruation, prior to resuming marital relations –Following the niddah period after childbirth, prior to resuming marital relations –By a bride, before the day of her wedding Men: –Before a Jewish holiday, according to the custom of some communities –By a bridegroom, on the day of his wedding –By a father, prior to the circumcision of his son –By a kohen prior to a service in which he will recite the priestly blessing, according to the custom of some communities –Weekly before Shabbat, under Hasidic and Haredi customs –Every day (including Shabbat and Holidays), under hasidic and some haredi customs Either gender: –Before Yom Kippur (a widespread custom in Orthodox Judaism) –As part of a conversion to Judaism (obligatory in Orthodox Judaism and Conservative Judaism) –Before ascending the Tem
