Kitzur Shulchan Aruch

Simanim 1 - 2
How long should a person sleep for at night?
[Siman 1, Seif 4]
A person may sleep any amount that he considers reasonable to have a healthy and alert
day. There is NO Mitzva in sleeping less and learning a less quality learning. (See also Taz in
Even Haezer 21).
Therefore if a person is not sure whether he will feel better or more alert with more sleep
then he should sleep more (Eshel Avraham Mibutchach).
In terms of oversleeping on a regular basis this is obviously a waste of precious time which
constitutes Bittul Torah. However, sleeping late on Shabbos is Oneg Shabbos (Enjoyment of
Shabbos). Also on holiday when a person allows himself to rest up and refresh himself it is
obviously permissible to oversleep (or for any other reason or situation where oversleeping
is good for him emotionally)
The most important is not to oversleep and miss davening time with the congregation, or
time of Shma and davening.
Can a person walk 4 Amos (+- 2 metres) without washing hands in the morning (Al Netilas
Yadaim)?
[Siman 2, Seif 1]
This is learnt from the Zohar quoted in the Tolaas Yaakov (Many questioned the existence
of this Zohar but the Chida writes that he found it in a handwritten manuscript of the
Zohar).
However, many Poskim (Mekor Chaim, Shulchan Aruch Harav, Malbim) write that the
Talmud Bavli does not prohibit walking 4 Amos before Netila.
The Shvus Yaakov adds that since there is no mention in the Shas of this and it should have
been mentioned it is therefore beyond a persons obligation to keep to i.e. a prishus to keep
to the Zohar. He writes that no-one practices this Zohar (he lived about 350 years ago) for
the above reason. He adds anothers reasons that the room can be considered 4 Amos.
The Daas Torah adds from the Eshel Avraham that the entire house and perhaps the entire
city could be considered 4 Amos if surrounded by an eiruv. The Elya Raba adds from the
Damesek Eliezer and the Daas Torah brings from the Keren Shlomo that these days the
spirit is weak and therefore this stringency does not apply.
Therefore many do not keep Negel Vasser next to their beds. Rabbi A Pfeuffer ztl was never
stringent with this and the Or Yitschak brings from his Rebbe R Aharon Kotler ztl who was
also lenient in this matter. The Halacha Berura brings from his father R Ovadia Yosef who
opposes this practice to wash immediately at waking up. This is because as people wake up
they need the toilet and then the brocha on the washing would be separated from the
washing.
Summary:

Many are lenient for the above reasons. The Mishna Berura was very stringent but
seemingly this practice has not been accepted.
However everybody agrees that one washes after the bathroom or as soon as possible in
order to remove the impurity from his hands.
Can a person walk 4 Amos (+- 2 metres) without wearing Tzitzis?
[Siman 2, Seif 2]
There is no clear obligation to wear Tzitzis. Although R Moshe Feinstein writes that since it
is unanimously accepted to wear Tzitzis it has become accepted as an obligation. However
this good practice of not walking 4 Amos without Tzitzis is clearly a Chasidus (above the
letter of the law).
Can a person touch his body parts before washing in the morning?
[Siman 2, Seif 5]
Some Poskim (Mekor Chaim, Maharam ben Chaviv - who lived about 350 years ago) have
pointed out that in later generations it seems that (as most dangers resulting from bad
spirits are no longer applicable) this practice of touching ones body parts is no longer
dangerous.
However the laws still remain because the impurity still exists (Malbim, Nachlas Avos) and
because the Rabbinical decree still exists.
However food that was touched is permitted . In fact in Israel most foods have been
touched by irreligious Jews.
Also the Eshel Avraham writes that these prohibitions are only applicable when one wakes
up in the morning but when one wakes up at night to go to the bathroom or to make a
bottle for the baby and returns to sleep, many touch the above, as he certainly does so at
night without being aware of it.
Can a person learn Torah and say brochas when he needs the bathroom?
[Siman 2, Seif 7]
The prohibition of learning Torah and saying brochas when a person wakes up in the
morning is clearly only when he goes to check himself and he will urinate or stool. However,
if he attempts to make and does not need to at present he may learn and daven even
though he will need to go later.
Which washings require a Negel Vasser cup?
[Siman 2, Seif 9]
Netilas Yadaim which require a cup are the morning washing (upon arising) and washing for
bread. All other washings do NOT require a cup. Some have a practice to always wash with a
cup. The Minchas Yitschak has a responsa to question this as many Poskim (Elya Raba,
Chida, Machatzis Hashekel etc.) are lenient. He writes that he found a Rama which seems to
suggest that one should use a cup and that this is why there is a practice like this. However
this is truly a misprint in the Elya Raba and it is not a Rama but a Dama i.e. the Damesek

Eliezer and even this is not absolutely clear.

Must a person wash 3 times on each hand?
[Siman 2, Seif 9]
This must only be done in the morning and according to some opinions when leaving a
graveyard.
Must a person wash his hands after touching his body parts that are normally covered?
[Siman 2, Seif 9]
One would only need to wash when touching body parts that are normally covered by
garments which sit flush to the skin such that sweat develops into dirt on the skin.
The Kaf Hachaim writes in the name of the Ben Ish Chai that touching the top of the arm to
put on Tefillin is not included in this as it is an area that is aired out every day in the process
of putting on Tefillin. He also writes that scratching ones head is only an issue in an area that
is constantly covered by a hat and therefore develops dirt from the sweat. Therefore
scratching our heads that are covered slightly by a light yarmulka would not be involved in
this obligation.