Question

An imprisoned Rabbi Akiva told his visiting student Yehoshua that he would rather perform this action and die rather than live and sin. The Talmud asserts that this action protects against blindness caused by the “Salt of Sodom.” During the Temple period, the Levites would perform this action on the Kohanim before the recitation of the Priestly Blessing. (-5[1])This action is usually accompanied by the (*) netilat yadayim (neh-tee-LAT ya-DAI-yeem) (10[1])blessing. During the Passover seder, it is performed without a blessing and is called urchatz, and precedes the eating of (10[1])Karpas (10[1])or vegetables. It may (-5[1])be performed using negel vasser cups. For 10 points, name this purifying action that Jews perform before (10[1])eating meals containing bread, for which synagogues often install (10[1])dedicated (10[1])sinks. ■END■

ANSWER: washing hands [accept netilat yadayim before mention; prompt on washing or ablution with “What body part?”]
<AR>
= Average correct buzz position

Back to tossups

Buzzes

PlayerTeamOpponentBuzz PositionValue
Adam FineChicagoMojo Shojo57-5
BulkingtonMaryland B-Amartya Senpai Notice Me6810
Beni KeownNorthwesternIllinois A+8810
Jason AsherEpic GamesWUSTL8910
Alston BoydChicago B+Michigan93-5
Chris RayOSUPurdue11010
Nick JensenMojo ShojoChicago11910
Subhamitra Banerjee RoychoudhuryMichiganChicago B+12010

Summary

2023 BHSU @ Northwestern02/25/2023Y6100%0%33%99.00
2023 BHSU @ Maryland03/11/2023Y3100%0%33%84.33
2023 BHSU @ Berkeley03/18/2023Y3100%0%0%92.33
2023 BHSU Online04/15/2023Y4100%0%25%107.75
2023 BHSU @ Sheffield04/15/2023Y2100%0%0%111.50