The Torah in Parashat Ki-Tisa (Shemot 30:19-20) commands the Kohanim to wash their hands and feet from the Kiyor – the special sink in the courtyard of the Bet Ha’mikdash – when they enter the Bet Ha’mikdash to perform the service. The reason behind this command, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes, is “Le’hagdil Kebod Ha’bayit” – to enhance the aura of majesty and grandeur in the Bet Ha’mikdash. Ensuring to wash oneself upon entering the Bet Ha’mikdash to serve G-d impresses upon him the importance of the Bet Ha’mikdash and the service, and how seriously this responsibility must be approached and fulfilled. This requirement is clearly not based on any hygienic concerns, as evidenced by the fact that a Kohen needs to wash only once each day, upon entering the Bet Ha’mikdash. As long as he does not fall asleep, use the restroom, leave the area of the Bet Ha’mikdash, or distract his mind from the service, he does not have to wash again, even if his hands are dirtied. Clearly, then, this Misva is intended not to maintain hygienic standards, but rather to enhance the Kohen’s appreciation and cognizance of the sanctity and importance of the service in the Bet Ha’mikdash. The only occasion on which the Torah mandates multiple washings in one day is Yom Kippur. The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains this unique requirement as a function of “Humro Shel Yom” – the special importance and gravity of Yom Kippur. The Kohen must wash in the morning even if he remained awake throughout the night; the night itself disqualifies the previous day’s washing, such that a new washing is required in the morning. As indicated earlier, if a Kohen leaves beyond the wall of the Azara (courtyard of the Bet Ha’mikdash) at any point, he must wash upon returning. In discussing this Misva, the Sefer Ha’hinuch comments that there is a Misva for the Kohanim to wash each morning their face, hands and feet. As the Minhat Hinuch notes, there does not appear to be any source for a requirement for the Kohanim to wash their face; the Misva is to wash only their hands and feet. The Minhat Hinuch writes that the word “Panav” (“face”) must have been erroneously added by a copyist, and was not actually written by the author of the Sefer Ha’hinuch. The washing must be conducted from the Kiyor, and the water must be poured over the Kohen’s hands and feet. The Sefer Ha’hinuch is of the opinion that when it comes to the Netilat Yadayim washing before eating bread, it suffices to dip one’s hands in water, but he concedes that this does not suffice for the Kohanim as they enter the Bet Ha’mikdash. This washing must be performed through the pouring of water from the Kiyor over their hands and feet. The Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that the Kiyor must contain at all times at least the amount of water needed to pour on the hands and feet of four Kohanim. This is inferred from the Torah’s command that “Aharon and his sons” must wash from the Kiyor, referring to Aharon, his two sons – Elazar and Itamar – and Elazar’s son, Pinhas. As they were altogether four Kohanim, the Sages understood that the minimum quantity of water required in the Kiyor is the amount needed for four Kohanim. The water needed to be brought from either a Mikveh or a natural spring. Water that was left overnight became invalid for the Kohanim’s washing. The washing was performed by the Kohen placing his right hand on his right foot, and then having water poured on them; afterward, he would place his left on his left foot, and water would be poured on them, as well. The Kohen was required to stand while washing, because the washing is considered part of the service in the Bet Ha’mikdash, and all parts of the service must be performed while standing. A Kohen who performs the service in the Bet Ha’mikdash without having first washed is liable to Miya Bi’ydeh Shamayim – death at the hands of G-d – and the service he performs is invalid and must be repeated. This obligation applies both to the Kohen Gadol and to ordinary Kohanim. The Netil