Speaking During Sacred Silences: Interjections between Netilat Yadayim and Hamotzi

The use of interjections by orthodox Jews between netilat yadayim and hamotzi

In Jewish law (halakha), there is a principle of continuity that should ideally be maintained between the washing of the hands (netilat yadayim) and the blessing over the bread (hamotzi).

See here for a very good, comprehensive overview: R’ David Brofsky, “Talking Between Netilat Yadayim and Ha-motzi”, Yeshivat Har Etzion (21.09.2014).

The principle of continuity in this case is derived from the Talmud Bavli (Berachot 42a) which states (R’ Brofsky translation):

תכף לנטילת ידים ברכה

“The blessing immediately follows the washing of the hands.”

R’ Brofsky writes:

“The Rishonim debate the meaning of this passage. Most Rishonim (Rashi, s.v. le-netilat yadayim; Tosafot, s.v. tekef; Rambam, Hilkhot Berakhot 6:20; see also Hagahot Maimoniot) explain that the gemara refers to mayim acharonim, the washing of the hands after the meal, before birkat ha-mazon. After washing one’s hands, one should not eat before reciting birkat ha-mazon.”

The definition of what constitutes an interruption (hefsek) between the netilat yadayim and the hamotzi is also a matter of debate among the rabbis. Some consider any speech to be an interruption, while others permit speech that is related to the meal itself. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 166:1) rules that one should not speak between washing and making the blessing, even about matters pertaining to the meal.

Therefore, in Orthodox practice, most try to avoid speech, between netilat yadayim and hamotzi.

Interjections

Interestingly, many Orthodox Jews will still use interjections.^[1]

Wikipedia give a number of examples of interjections in English, including the following:^[2]

Several English interjections contain sounds, or are sounds as opposed to words, that do not (or very rarely) exist in regular English phonological inventory. For example:

Ahem  ("Attention!") may contain a glottal stop in any dialect of English; the glottal stop is common in American English, some British dialects, and in other languages, such as German.

Psst ("Listen closely!") is an entirely consonantal syllable, and its consonant cluster does not occur initially in regular English words.

Shh ("Quiet!") is another entirely consonantal syllable word.

Tut-tut  ("Shame on you"), also spelled tsk-tsk, is made up entirely of clicks, which are an active part of regular speech in several African languages. This particular click is dental.

Ugh ("Disgusting!") ends with a velar fricative consonant, which is otherwise restricted to just a few regional dialects of English, though is common in languages like Spanish, German, Gaelic, and Russian.

At what point does a "sound" become a word?  Are all interjections just sounds?  I.e., "ugh" has both a set sound and a set meaning.  Why isn't it a word?

"Word" itself has a wide range of meanings (Word - Wikipedia). In contrast to typical words and sentences, the function of most interjections is related to an expression of feeling, rather than representing some idea or concept.The narrower sense is why people feel comfortable using these interjections between washing and hamotzi.

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^[1] I’d like to thank my father and brother for discussing and clarifying the issues on the topic here.

^[2] Interjection - Wikipedia > “Examples from English”