Food and medicine in a bathroom

Hi,

One may not bring food into a bathroom,due to the impurity that is present. However, one may keep medicine in a bathroom, because it is in a closed container and because it is not viewed as food in Jewish law.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:8:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Saying "Shalom" in a bathroom

Hi,

Because "Shalom" is a Name of Gd, it should not be mentioned in an unclean place, or a place where people are found unclothed. However, one may call someone whose name is Shalom; in this context, it is not a Name of Gd.

(Rabbi Ephraim Greenblatt, Rivivot Ephraim 1:7:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Handwashing after the bed and the washroom

Hi,

We wash our hands ritually after sleeping, but not after lying in bed without sleeping. We wash our hands ritually after being in the washroom, but not if one only introduced his hands.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Playing recordings of Torah or prayer

Hi,

One may not play a recording of Torah or prayer in such a way that people who are in a bathroom will hear it, lest they be caused to think about Torah or prayer in an inappropriate place.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:173)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Coloring water on Shabbat

Hi,

May I keep a cleaning tablet in the tank of a toilet, if it will dye water which is introduced on Shabbos?

The act of colouring is prohibited on Shabbos, but many authorities rule that this does not apply to colouring food. Therefore, halachic authorities tend to permit adding juice to water or red wine to white wine, where the intent is not to change the colour. However, halachic authorities differ on the application to toilet water.

Those who permit this do so because: 1) The water is potable, and so is food; 2) One intends to clean, not to dye; 3) The water is not meant to remain long-term; 4) One colours the water only indirectly, when flushing. Those who prohibit argue that the water is not meant for drinking, and that people do want the colour. Rabbi Korobkin states that our practice is to prohibit.

(Beis Yosef Orach Chaim 320 katav; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 320:19-20; Chasam Sofer Shabbos 74b; Mishneh Berurah 318:39, 320:56, 59; Tzitz Eliezer 14:47; Shemiras Shabbos k'Hilchasah 3:21, 23:14 and footnotes)

Have a great Yom Tov,
Mordechai

Washing for bread, in the bathroom

Hi,

A frequent travel question: May one wash netilat yadayim before a meal, in a bathroom?

Aside from hygienic factors, one is not supposed to wash in a bathroom, for a couple of reasons:
1. One may not recite the berachah in there, and the berachah is to be recited before drying one's hands;
2. "Ruach ra'ah" is present in the bathroom, and one should not eat with ru'ach raah about him. [No, I can't translate ruach ra'ah, sorry.]

One who has no other place to wash may use water from the bathroom, but should ideally remove it from the bathroom and then wash away from that area.

(Har Tzvi Orach Chaim 1:50)

Have a great day,
Mordechai