The requirement to wash one’s hands upon arising and make the appropriate beracha is mentioned in the gemara.[1] The reasons offered by the Rishonim are 1) to remove before davening residue from things he may have touched while sleeping and 2) upon awakening as a “new creation,” we should thank HaShem, Who created us to serve and bless Him.[2] However, the practice of being careful not to walk four amot[3] in the morning before washing one’s hands is not mentioned in the gemara or by other early, classical halachic sources. The source is a statement of the Zohar,[4] which is cited by several Acharonim.
The Shevut Yaakov[5] rules that one need not be stringent in this matter. He and others cite a statement made by Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar (admittedly, in a different context) that whatever is in a house is considered within four amot.[6] Note that this logic would not apply when sleeping outdoors or in other instances when one has to walk more than four amot outside of his dwelling before washing. On the other hand, the Mishna Berura,[7] based on the Zohar, is stringent in this matter, except in pressing circumstances.
It is important to correct the misconception that walking four amot, in and of itself, is the main halachic problem. The bigger problem is delaying the removal of the spirit of impurity that rests on the hands during the night’s sleep. Thus, to lie awake in bed until someone can bring water within four amot or to walk more than four amot in small increments makes the matter worse, not better.[8] One should also not postpone going to the bathroom, if it is difficult to wait, in order to wash his hands first. This is because it is forbidden to delay going to the bathroom when one has an acute need.[9]
The more prevalent practice is to not be meticulous about having netilat yadayim at one’s bedside. Our mentor and teacher, Rav Shaul Yisraeli, taught that even bnei yeshiva may rely on the lenient opinion.