Note from the Songwriter:
“Oh when the Jews! Go wash their hands!” This was the song shouted by every camper at Shabbat meals as we danced over to the sinks before ha-motzei. But why do the Jews go wash their hands? And what is with that cup? Washing our hands before eating elevates (netilat- raising) the act of eating to one of holiness. It gives us the time and physical action we need to take a second and think about where we are, and what we are doing. It’s a moment to add some sacredness to our day. The washing cup itself looks like no other cup; designed with two handles to make pouring a breeze, it is often embellished and beautiful. Just like one washing cup in a sea of normal cups, the moment of washing can be a perfect pause in the every-day.
Lyrics:
Gotta wash up with my washing cup
Gotta wash up with my washing cup
Gotta wash up, gotta wash up
Gotta wash up with my washing cup
Al Netilat Yadayim!
Al Netilat Yadayim!
In the right hand
One two three
In the left hand
One two three
Like the ancient
Cohanim
Lifting up their
Offerings
Al Netilat Yadayim!
Al Netilat Yadayim!
Baruch ata Adonai
Eloheinu melech ha’olam
asher kidshanu
b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu
Al Netilat Yadayim!
Al Netilat Yadayim!