Prayer and Religious Articles: Prayer and Blessings: Netilas Yadaim:
What does "netilas yadayim" mean?
It means "washing the hands", but the etymology of the "netilas" is
obscure; it normally means "taking", not "washing". It has been
suggested that it comes from the name of the vessel, "antal" (see
Talmud Bava Basra 58b), that is used to pour the water over the hands.
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