How far must one travel to obtain water for handwashing before prayer?
Synopsis
The Mechaber rules that if water is ahead on one's route, one must travel up to a parasang (4 mil). If backtracking, only up to a mil. If missing prayer time entirely, one may clean hands with a rock, dirt, or any cleansing agent instead. The Rif reportedly required waiting for water even at the cost of missing prayer time; Tosafot and the Tur disagreed. The Mishnah Berurah adds that one at home must also travel up to a mil.
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Discussion
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