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Since ""hand washing"" is a generic word used for different TYPES of hand washing, and each specific hand washing has its own specific laws on how it should be performed (e.g. with or without a vessel; three intermittent times in the morning and with a vessel in most customs, etc.), the detail of the mitzvah can only be learned in the main body of the article. Customs also differ with different Jewish ethnic groups. I think that ""negel vasser"" and the three pourings is the generally accepted practice in the morning (in most Jewish homes), although the kabbalists add a fourth pouring. This, as noted, is explained in the body of the main article.  "