25 May HALACHICALLY SPEAKING: LEFTIES
10 % of the people in the world are left-handed. Consequently, the amount of yiddin who are left handed is very little. However, many halachos come up on a daily basis regarding the correct hand to use when performing one’s daily activities.
The Torah gives preference to the right hand over the left hand. One of the reasons is because it is usually the stronger of the two hands, and one will be able to perform mitzvahs more accurately and efficiently. Additionally, doing mitzvahs with the right hand shows respect for the mitzvah. This is applicable to a left-handed person as well since his right hand is every one else’s left hand.
Horav Chaim Kanievesky shlita wrote a kuntres which deals with all the questions that can arise concerning a left handed person. We will only discuss those which are very common.
The following halachos are discussed in the order that they appear in Shulchan Aruch.
Shoes
The Gemorah writes one who is putting on shoes should first put on the right shoe without tying the lace, then put on the left shoe and tie it, and finally tie the right one. The Mishnah Berurah explains that the Torah is teaching us to recognize the importance of our right side in all matters, with the exception of tying. When tying, we honor the left side because tefillin is worn on the left arm. One who picked up the left shoe first should not put it on, and should still put on the right shoe first. There is a discussion in the poskim as to the correct manner that a left-handed person should put on his shoes. Some poskim say that a lefty can follow the manner that a right handed person puts on his shoes.
The Correct Order of Washing the Body
One should wash his body in the following order: head, face, heart, right hand, left hand, right foot, left foot, followed by the rest of the body. Some are not concerned with this inyun and wash their bodies in any order. The poskim stress that even if one is washing with soap, the aforementioned order should be followed. Furthermore even if one is being washed by someone else the aforementioned order should be followed. Lefties should do like a right handed person in this regard.
Personal Hygiene
The Gemorah in Berochos says when cleaning oneself after using the bathroom [for “gedolim”] one should not use his right hand because that is the hand used when putting on tefillin, and one should not use the middle finder of his left hand because the tefillin are wrapped on that finger. Instead one should clean himself with the other fingers on the left hand. A lefty should use the fingers of his right (weaker hand). Some say if one is unable to clean properly then one can wipe with any hand.
According to some poskim, this halacha pertains to women as well even though they do not put on tefillin.
In earlier times one used to clean himself with his hand without any tissues. Since we clean ourselves with tissues, many say that the above halachos do not apply today. Others say one should be stringent.
Washing Hands
One who washes his hands fills the cup while holding it in his right hand and then transfers the cup into his left hand and washes his right hand. A left-handed person should also follow this procedure and wash his right hand first.
*Tzitzis
The Gemorah in Moed Katton states that any atifa that is not like the atifas yishmueylim is not an atifa. There is a discussion in the poskim as to the correct way to perform this atifa. Many poskim say that one should place the tallis over his face until the tallis reaches his mouth and then take the strings and throw it over his left side. A left-handed person should do it the same way.
Holding the Tzitzis
During the recital of krias shema it is a mitzvah to hold the tzitzis in the left hand opposite the heart. The custom is to start holding the tzitzis during the recital of Ahavah Rabbah when one recites the words of maher… Some have the custom to hold two tzitzis, while many others have the custom to hold all four tzitzis. Many poskim say that one should hold the tzitzis between his pinky and ring finger. Horav Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l took issue with this and said that this is not considered a holding and one should place the tzitzis in his palm and then place them between his pinky finger and ring finger. One should hold the tzitzis with both hands when saying the parsha of vayomer, and they should be held until saying nechmadim l’ad in vayatziv when they are kissed and put down. A left handed person follows the same procedure as a right-handed.
Placing Tefillin on One’s Hand
Please note: The following discussion only applies if one is a real lefty and writes with his left hand. One who does other activities with his right hand would be entering a big discussion in the poskim which we will not be discussing in this issue.
A right handed person places his tefillin on his left hand since it is his weaker hand. A left handed person places his tefillin on his weaker hand which is everyone else’s right hand. A left handed person who places his tefillin on his stronger hand (everyone else’s left hand) has not fulfilled his obligation of putting on tefillin. There is an opinion in the poskim who says that a left handed person should place tefillin on his strong hand (everyone else’s left hand) just like a right handed person does. Others say that one should do this after davening is over. Nonetheless, the custom is not to be concerned with this opinion and a left-handed person places tefillin on his weaker hand (everyone else’s right hand).
Removing Tefillin
One should remove his tefillin with the left hand to show that he is not excited about removing the tefillin. The daled shaped kesher of the Shel Rosh should be taken off with the right hand. The poskim discuss the correct manner in which a left-handed person should remove his tefillin. Many say that a lefty should remove his tefillin with his weaker hand which is everyone else’s right hand.
Covering Eyes by Krias Shema
The Shulchan Aruch says that when one recites the first posuk of krias shema (shema yisroel etc.) his “hands” should be placed over his “face” in order to be able to concentrate on what he is saying. The poskim say that “face” means eyes, and “hands” mean one’s right hand and when the Shulchan Aruch used the words hands it is not to be taken literally. A left handed person uses the same hand as a right handed person (his weaker hand). There is no need for a person who wears glasses to remove his glasses before covering his eyes since it is not considered a chatzitzah. The custom is that one closes his eyes as well.
Segula for Concentration
by Shemonei Esrei
One who has trouble concentrating during shemonei esrei should place his right hand over his forehead and say three times Lev tohar bera li etc… There is no difference in this regard between a right-handed person and a left-handed, and a lefty should use his weaker hand.
Steps after Shemonei Esrei
When one takes three steps after shemonei esrei he first turns his head to the left. This should be done by a lefty as well. When one finishes shemonei esrei he takes three steps back starting with his left foot. A person who walks with his left foot (everyone else’s weaker foot) first should use his weaker right foot to end his shemonei esrei and take a step back with that foot. According to the Mishnah Berurah the correct way to step back from shemonei esrei is the following: the first step should be small, then one takes a bigger step with the other foot, finally the first foot should meet with the second foot. One who finds himself in a crowded place where it is impossible to take large steps can take three small steps.