Praying while connected to a catheter

Hi,

May a person daven while connected to a catheter?

We communicate with G-d when we daven, and Devarim 23:14 states that a space in which excrement is found is unfit for the presence of G-d. However, one who excretes via catheter and has no control over the flow may still daven, so long as the following conditions are fulfilled:

• There must be no foul smell in the room;
• The catheter should be covered.

 There are multiple reasons to be lenient in this circumstance, including 1) the importance of ensuring that every individual will have the opportunity to daven, and 2) the uncertainty as to whether excrement is emerging from the body at any given monent.

One who excretes via catheter should recite the berachah of asher yatzar as part of his morning berachos (subject to the two conditions above), and have in mind that it will serve for the entire day.

(Ishei Yisrael 3:13 and 52:11, and footnotes there)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Davening with a dirty diaper nearby

Hi,

May I daven in a room with a baby whose diaper is dirty?

We communicate with G-d when we daven, and Devarim 23:14 states that a space in which excrement is found is unfit for the presence of G-d. Therefore, one may not daven in a space containing excrement or smelling like it, or in a room containing a child's potty.

If the offending material is covered, then one may daven in that room, so long as one remains four amot (about seven feet) from a place in which one could smell it. If the material is covered so well that no smell emerges at all, then one may daven in the room without any concerns.

Three other leniencies are relevant:

• If a baby is under the age of 3 months, then one may daven in the same room as its exposed dirty diaper.
• One who wishes to daven in a room with a baby is not obligated to check the baby's diaper first.
• One may daven in a room containing used cloth diapers which have been laundered.

(Berachos 25b; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 76, 77, 79, 81-83; Ishei Yisrael 51:4, 51:5, 51:7, 52:1-2; Rivivos Ephraim 1:70; v'Zos haBerachah Chapter 16)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Davening near diapers

Hi,

Cloth diapers which have been laundered are considered clean, such that one may daven beside them without any problem. If they have only been rinsed, though, one should not daven beside them, where possible.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:106:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Praying in a room with an idol

Hi,

May I pray in a room which contains a symbol of idolatry?

When Moshe wished to pray to G-d to end the plague of Hail, he left the city; a midrash in the Mechilta explains that Moshe did not wish to pray in Egypt, with its proliferation of idols. Beyond this midrash, we are concerned lest we appear, G-d forbid, to be praying to the idol or its symbol. Therefore, one should not pray in a space which contains symbols of idolatry.

One who has no other option, such a patient in a hospital room containing such symbols, may pray in such a space; he should endeavour to demonstrate, perhaps via his posture, that he is not praying to the idol. Note that not all religious emblems are considered "symbols of avodah zarah"; a competent halachic authority should be consulted.

The same rules pertain to Torah study in such a space.

(Rashi Shemot 12:1; Terumas haDeshen 1:6; Melamed l'Hoil 2:54; Chelkas Yaakov Orach Chaim 33; Siach Yitzchak 45; Tzitz Eliezer 12:15)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Praying with a urinary catheter

Hi,

One who has a urinary catheter, which is connected to a receptacle that holds urine, should cover them when praying.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 1:27)

Have a great day,
Mordechai