Spiritual Relaxation and the Power of Washing the Feet: Releasing Control and Embracing Faith

In a previous article, we focused on releasing negative emotions from the upper part of the body- specifically the systems of thought and emotion.

In this article, we will turn our attention to relaxing the lower part of the body, where more action-oriented emotions reside. These energies are primarily expressed in the legs and the walking system- the most basic and foundational tools for all forms of action.

It’s important to understand that contrary to popular belief, thought is not confined to the head, nor are emotions restricted to the heart. The power of thought permeates the entire body- when any part of the body is injured, the entire person feels the pain. More deeply, each body part possesses its own thought-energy that aligns with its spiritual purpose. The conscious awareness resides in the head, but the brain functions as a central command center, receiving input and signals from all parts of the body.

The legs possess a unique thought energy- the drive to carry out and complete a person’s plans and intentions.

Letting Go of Control Through the Feet

In this stage of relaxation, which focuses on the lower body, we examine and release the many thoughts and plans connected to action, represented by the legs. We illuminate these thoughts with the light of Torah, acknowledging that human beings have no true control over themselves or their plans.

Our tendency to view ourselves as the sole managers, or worse, as the ones responsible for all that happens in our lives, is rooted in the illusion that man is separate from G-d. These ego-driven thoughts are like dust that collects on any object left uncleaned for a long time. The more intense a person’s life becomes, with more responsibilities, action, and change, the more this “dust of self-importance” settles on the soul, unless it is cleansed regularly with the refreshing “water” of emunah (faith), which gives life to the soul.

A Practical Act of Letting Go: Washing the Feet

To complete the process of spiritual relaxation, it is helpful to perform a practical action that reflects the inner process. Just as we wash the hands and face, we now turn to the feet. While Jewish law does not require washing the feet in the morning as it does with the hands, it is still recommended here as a symbolic gesture- a way to externalize the internal letting go.

You can imagine, as you wash your feet, that a black liquid or dust is leaving the space between your toes and nails, carrying away the mental residue of the belief in “my strength and the work of my hands”- the false belief that we are in control.

Washing the Face, Hands, and Feet: A Kabbalistic Framework

This practice also has roots in Kabbalah. The three stages of spiritual relaxation correspond to three types of washing taught in Jewish mystical tradition of the face, hands, and feet. The Talmud teaches (Shabbat 50b) that “a person should wash their face, hands, and feet daily in honor of their Creator”- a halacha that Kabbalistic sources say applies even today.

Each of these three areas corresponds to a core part of the soul:

• Face – the seat of thoughts and desires (reflected in facial expressions)

• Hands – the domain of emotions and their expression

• Feet – the channel through which thoughts become action

Although this practice is distinct from the halachic hand-washing upon waking (netilat yadayim), which addresses spiritual impurity from sleep, the two share a common inner intention of cleansing the body and soul of harmful thoughts and ego.

Abraham’s Wisdom: Washing Away the Dust of Ego

When guests came to the home of Abraham our forefather, he would offer them water and say, “Let a bit of water be brought, and wash your feet; rest yourselves under the tree” (Genesis 18:4).

The Talmud (Bava Metzia 86b, cited by Rashi) explains this as a way to remove the dust of their travels. In Chassidic thought, this dust represents the ego and attachment to one’s efforts- a mindset that “my own strength has brought me success”.

Like Abraham’s guests, we wash our feet, symbolically removing the dust of pride and false autonomy, and instead resting under the Tree of Faith, supported by complete trust in G-d.

From Cleansing to Connection: Awakening Divine Energy

After releasing the negative, we shift to revealing the positive- the divine vitality within the legs that continuously empowers movement and action. We awaken this awareness by focusing on the spiritual energy that animates our lower body- an expression of G-d’s deep love for us.

This is the time to infuse the mind with liberating thoughts: the awareness of G-d's absolute control and our human smallness. G-d is the One who acts, forms, and creates, even when we don’t perceive it with our limited physical senses. Without spiritual insight, the human body understands little more than an animal. When illuminated by Torah, even our thoughts are uplifted.

The Maggid of Mezeritch taught that even when a person appears to be lying in bed asleep, they are in fact serving G-d in that moment, connecting inwardly.

It is therefore critical not to allow any worries or fears to infiltrate the mind during those precious early moments in bed. These thoughts shape our entire mood and joy throughout the day. Only after reaching a state of calm, joy, and inner stillness should we rise from bed, with a smile and a peaceful heart.

Rabbi Yehuda Weingarten is the Chairman of the Institute for the Foundation of Chassidism and the "Yessodot HaChinuch" organization.