Where Is It Permissible to Recite Brachot?: Difference between revisions

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# If an area of one [[Tefach]] on a part of a woman's body that's usually covered is exposed, including a married woman's hair, it is considered nakedness regarding which it is forbidden to involve oneself in Divrei Kedusha.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 75:1</ref> Areas that may be exposed (unless there is a local custom to be more strict) are the face, hands, and legs up to the knee.<ref>Mishna Brurah 75:2</ref>
# If an area of one [[Tefach]] on a part of a woman's body that's usually covered is exposed, including a married woman's hair, it is considered nakedness regarding which it is forbidden to involve oneself in Divrei Kedusha.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 75:1</ref> Areas that may be exposed (unless there is a local custom to be more strict) are the face, hands, and legs up to the knee.<ref>Mishna Brurah 75:2</ref>
# If one is facing such a woman, according to Sephardim, he may close his eyes or turn his head, in order to recite a [[Bracha]].<ref>S"A 75:6, Mishna Brurah 75:29, Yechave Daat 2:5</ref> According to some Ashkenazim, he must turn all the way around.<ref>Mishna Brurah 75:29</ref> Other Ashkenazic poskim hold that turning around is only necessary when one is facing the actual Ervah (areas of the body which need to be covered such as forearms and forelegs, unlike areas which are only covered because of local practice) of a woman, but in the case of a [[Tefach]] of skin or hair, closing one's eyes or turning his head is sufficient. <ref>Mishna Brurah 75:1</ref>
# If one is facing such a woman, according to Sephardim, he may close his eyes or turn his head, in order to recite a [[Bracha]].<ref>S"A 75:6, Mishna Brurah 75:29, Yechave Daat 2:5</ref> According to some Ashkenazim, he must turn all the way around.<ref>Mishna Brurah 75:29</ref> Other Ashkenazic poskim hold that turning around is only necessary when one is facing the actual Ervah (areas of the body which need to be covered such as forearms and forelegs, unlike areas which are only covered because of local practice) of a woman, but in the case of a [[Tefach]] of skin or hair, closing one's eyes or turning his head is sufficient. <ref>Mishna Brurah 75:1</ref>
# If one sees an image of an inproperly dressed woman on television, even though she herself is not physically present, he may not make a Beracha while looking at her and must follow the above protocol.<ref>She doesn't physically have to be present, because the whole Issur is in place to prevent one from having inappropriate thoughts, which are all too possible when watching an improperly dressed woman on TV. Of course, one must be wary, as bringing TV into ones home in the first place exposes one's children to a great variety of inappropriate content and inhibits their ability to grow as good wholesome Jewish children. Yechave Daat 4:7.</ref>
# If one sees an image of an improperly dressed woman on television, even though she herself is not physically present, he may not make a Beracha while looking at her and must follow the above protocol.<ref>Yechave Daat 4:7 writes that she doesn't physically have to be present, because the whole prohibition is in place to prevent one from having inappropriate thoughts, which are all too possible when watching an improperly dressed woman on TV. Of course, one must be wary, as bringing TV into ones home in the first place exposes one's children to a great variety of inappropriate content and inhibits their ability to grow as good wholesome Jewish children. </ref>


==Saying Hashem's name in vain==
==Saying Hashem's name in vain==

Revision as of 17:04, 19 January 2015

Chazal learn from the pasuk "Vehaya Machanecha kadosh" that when Hashem's presence is with us, such as when one is involved with a dvar shebekedusha, such as kriyat shema, tefillah, or learning, one must make sure that one's area is clean, meaning, that there isn't any unclad area of a person or revealed feces where one is.[1] The details of what is considered an unclad area of the body and what is considered feces are described below.

Learning or Thinking Torah in Unclean Areas

  1. It is forbidden to even think words of Kedusha in an area where there is uncovered urine, human feces, or something that stinks. [2]
  2. If urine was absorbed into the ground or clothing, if there still is a moisture to the urine, one may not learn next to it unless it was diluted with a Reviyit of water.[3]
  3. If there is feces on one's body, one may not involve oneself in Divrei Kedusha even if it is covered.[4]
  4. One may speak hebrew in the bathroom and it is a pious practice not to. [5]

Definition of Divrei Kedusha

Definition of an Unclad Person

  1. If an area of one Tefach on a part of a woman's body that's usually covered is exposed, including a married woman's hair, it is considered nakedness regarding which it is forbidden to involve oneself in Divrei Kedusha.[6] Areas that may be exposed (unless there is a local custom to be more strict) are the face, hands, and legs up to the knee.[7]
  2. If one is facing such a woman, according to Sephardim, he may close his eyes or turn his head, in order to recite a Bracha.[8] According to some Ashkenazim, he must turn all the way around.[9] Other Ashkenazic poskim hold that turning around is only necessary when one is facing the actual Ervah (areas of the body which need to be covered such as forearms and forelegs, unlike areas which are only covered because of local practice) of a woman, but in the case of a Tefach of skin or hair, closing one's eyes or turning his head is sufficient. [10]
  3. If one sees an image of an improperly dressed woman on television, even though she herself is not physically present, he may not make a Beracha while looking at her and must follow the above protocol.[11]

Saying Hashem's name in vain

  1. It is forbidden to say Hashem's name in vain. This includes any name that are specific to Hashem, whether its in Hebrew or in any language. [12]
  2. It is permitted to say Hashem's name in a form of praise, or bracha according to the need, or as one is learning. [13]

Sources

  1. ↑ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 5:1
  2. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 85:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 5:2
  3. ↑ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 5:2
  4. ↑ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 5:3
  5. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 85:2, Mishna Brurah 85:9
  6. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 75:1
  7. ↑ Mishna Brurah 75:2
  8. ↑ S"A 75:6, Mishna Brurah 75:29, Yechave Daat 2:5
  9. ↑ Mishna Brurah 75:29
  10. ↑ Mishna Brurah 75:1
  11. ↑ Yechave Daat 4:7 writes that she doesn't physically have to be present, because the whole prohibition is in place to prevent one from having inappropriate thoughts, which are all too possible when watching an improperly dressed woman on TV. Of course, one must be wary, as bringing TV into ones home in the first place exposes one's children to a great variety of inappropriate content and inhibits their ability to grow as good wholesome Jewish children.
  12. ↑ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 6:3
  13. ↑ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 6:3
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