From the Rav’s Desk: Praying or Learning Torah opposite an open Bathroom Door

Praying or Learning Torah opposite an open Bathroom Door

Question

Is it permitted to pray or learn Torah in one’s house if the bathroom door is open?

Answer

Generally, it is permitted to pray or learn Torah in a house near the walls or door of a bathroom, even if the door is open, provided that the toilet itself and any soiled floor are not visible and one is not within two meters (four cubits) of the toilet or dirty area. If the toilet or a dirty floor with urine is visible, or if one is within two meters of them, it is forbidden to pray or learn Torah in that area. Accordingly, it is strongly recommended to always maintain a closed bathroom door to ensure that the toilet will not be visible during prayer or Torah study.

Explanation

The general prohibition against studying Torah or praying opposite feces includes a prohibition against doing so within sight of a Geraf Shel Reiy, which the inside of the bathroom and particularly the toilet would be defined as. Furthermore, at times even the bathroom itself is defined as a Geraf Shel Reiy. The Shulchan Aruch Harav, based on the opinion of the Taz, distinguishes between different types of bathrooms. The restriction is strictest for bathrooms that are independent structures, such as portable toilets at events or park restrooms in separate buildings. In these cases, it is forbidden to pray or learn Torah either within sight of the bathroom or within two meters (four cubits) of its walls, even if the bathroom is clean and the door is closed. However, bathrooms that are part of a house or building and share walls with other rooms do not possess the same Halachic status as external or mobile bathrooms. Therefore, it is permitted to pray or learn Torah within two meters of the walls or door of such a bathroom, and even within sight of the bathroom door, provided the following conditions are met, as writes Admur in parentheses:

• The toilet itself, which is most certainly a Geraf Shel Reiy, is not visible from the place of prayer or study.
• The floor is not dirty with urine and is not visible; if it is visible and dirty, prayer or Torah study is forbidden.
• One is not within two meters (four cubits) of the toilet or dirty floor, if the door is open.

If these conditions are met, one may pray or study Torah in the adjacent room, hallway, or even facing the open bathroom door. There is no need to place a curtain or partition (Mechitza) in front of the bathroom door in a house, and this leniency reflects the widespread custom among Jewish communities. If the toilet or a soiled floor is visible, or one is within two meters of them, prayer and Torah study are not allowed in that spot. Closing the bathroom door or ensuring one’s back is to the bathroom can resolve these issues.

Sources:

See Admur 83:1 in parentheses “Any walled bathroom which shares its walls with other rooms do not have the Halachic status of a bathroom and it is thus allowed for one learn Torah or pray within a four cubit radius of its walls and within its sight. (Nevertheless, one may not learn or pray the actual toilet, or when he is facing the toilet and the toilet is within his sight.)”; Piskeiy Teshuvos 83:2; See Chikrei Halachos 6 p. 42 for explanation of the doubt here in Admur; Vetzaruch Iyun as to the intent of Admur here: Is he referring to a case that the door is open and in such a case one may not be within four cubits of the toilet or within its sight, or does he refer to even a case that the door is closed? Also how does this ruling not contradict the ruling in 79:5 that when the Tzoa is in a different area one may be within four cubits of it, even if it is visible. Vetzaruch Iyun. To note the Ketzos Hashulchan ibid omits this ruling in his summary and simply writes one may learn and pray near such a bathroom.

See regarding not Davening opposite bathroom walls:

Admur 83:1 based on Taz 83:1; Elya Raba 83:2; Soles Belula 83:1; Chayeh Adam 3:11; Chesed Lealafim 83:2; Ruach Chaim 79:2; Ketzos Hashulchan 10:11; Kaf Hachaim 83:4; M”B 83:5; Although many Poskim today are lenient for various reasons, as mentioned below, practically the Sheivet Halevy 4:10 rules stringently and so is implied from Admur and other Poskim above that do not mention the distinctions below.

Other Opinions: Some Poskim are lenient and rule that one may always learn and pray outside a bathroom, near the walls [Michaber ibid; Aruch Hashulchan 83:8 [being the walls are considered like walls of a house]; Eretz Tzevi 1:11 and Chazon Ish 17:1 [being the feces do not touch the actual walls of the bathroom]; Salmas Chaim 104 [being that the feces are flushed down right away and is hence not considered a bathroom]; Daas Torah and Halichos Shlomo 20:38 [Being that the walls today are made of a few sheets of plaster]; See also Shulchan Hatahor 83:2; Ashel Avraham Butchach; The Sheivet Halevy 4:10 agrees with ruling of Admur that it is forbidden and argues on the Chazon Ish saying one cannot novelize such a distinction between walls that become dirty and those that don’t. Piskeiy Teshuvos 83:2 rules leniently based on all the above Poskim.]