M. VIII. 4; T. VI. 3-5. On Wiping one's Hands
On Wiping one's Hands.
M.VIII. 4 (3). The School of Shammai say: One M. wipes his hands 3 with a napkin, and lays it on the table; 4 and the School of Hillel say: On the cushion. 5
T.T. VI. 3. The School of Shammai say: One wipes his hands with a napkin, and leaves it on the table. Perchance [any] moisture which is on the napkin becomes unclean through the cushion [if the napkin were placed there], and makes his hands unclean again.
The School of Hillel say: Any doubt about moisture on his hands means that he is clean.
Another reason [is given]: The washing of the hands is not for ordinary food. 1 But one wipes his hand with a napkin, and leaves it on the cushion. Perchance [any] moisture which is on the napkin will become unclean through the table, and make the eatables unclean again.
5. The School of Shammai say: The cup of wine 2 is on one's right hand, and sweet-smelling oil on one's left. He says the Benediction over the wine and afterwards says the Benediction over the oil. 3 But the School of Hillel say: Sweet-smelling oil on his right, and cup of wine on his left. He says the Benediction over the oil and smears it on the head of the attendant. 4 If the attendant be learned in the Law, he smears it on the wall, for it is no credit to one learned in the Law to go out anointed with perfume.