[Avodah] Mayim Achronim - Washing after Eating Is "Mayim Achronim" a law or a stringency?

[I. Balbin]

The following is a Tshuvah from Rav Aviner Shlita

It is called an obligation in the Talmud (Berachot 53b). The Tosafot  
(ibid.) however writes that the reason for this washing is "salt from  
sodom" - a type of salt which can make one blind if it touches the  
eye, and since in our days this type of salt is uncommon, this custom  
creates no obligation to wash "Mayim Achronim." But there is another  
reason given for this washing: The Torah says (Vayikra 11:44), "For I  
am Hashem, your God – and you shall sanctify yourselves and you shall  
become holy..." The Talmud (ibid.) explains that "and you shall  
sanctify yourselves" refers to "Mayim Rishonim – washing before  
eating" and "you shall become holy" refers to "Mayim Achronim -  
washing after eating." This means that one should not bless Hashem  
with soiled hands. This law is not stated explicitly with regard to  
the blessing after eating, but with regard to all blessings, whether  
they are in the middle of a meal or the middle of the day (Shulchan  
Aruch, Orach Chaim 181, Shaar Ha-Tzion #32). Therefore, all depends on  
the situation. One who eats neatly without becoming soiled from the  
food is exempt from "Mayim Achronim." But if his hands are dirty, and  
it is to a degree that he would be careful to wash them for reasons of  
cleanliness or even because he is overly sensitive with regard to  
dirty hands, he may not recite the blessing without washing "Mayim  
Achronim." If his hands are completely clean, he is exempt according  
to the Halachah, although he is still required to according to the  
Kabbalists - the mystics (Mishnah Berurah ibid. #22).

There is certainly no difference between men and women in regard to  
"Mayim Achronim."
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