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By Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz
Jewish thought understands both the earthly usage of water and its renewing effects on the soul. Each morning, we are commanded to wash our hands and recite the blessing Al Netilat Yadayim.
The simple reason for this is that sleep is akin to death and being awake is akin to life. Water stimulates the synapses in our brains to break between these realms. Washing our hands is the precise moment where we express our gratitude for our earthly physical existence, for the return of our soul to our body, and prepare ourselves to take responsibility for the gifts bestowed upon us. But why is it the hands that we wash? We could have been commanded to wash the head housing our brain, the chest housing our heart, or the feet we use to walk. 
Your Guide to Netilat Yadayim
The blessing over handwashing originates with the rabbis of the Talmud. Customarily, it can be recited before eating bread and after waking up. 
An Awkward Silence, ExplainedWhy are people silent between washing hands before a meal and saying the blessing over bread?
This translation and transliteration will get you started.
Explore the purpose of immersing in a mikveh, or Jewish ritual bath, in this beautiful video.
Prayer has been the foundation of Jewish ritual and practice for thousands of years, but you may still wonder how and why to say the prayers in the canon. At My Jewish Learning, we invite you to explore the deeper side of prayer. Each week we'll share a unique exploration of a particular Jewish prayer, plus offer background materials and more to enhance your understanding. In the meantime, you can explore all of MJL's prayer resources here.
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