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    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.