Going to the Bathroom

From Halachipedia

Proper conduct in Bathroom

Washing hands after going to the bathroom

  1. After going to the bathroom one must wash his hands (three times switching off) without a bracha. [1]
  2. If one’s hands didn’t get dirty at all then there’s no obligation to wash hands in order to say Asher Yatzer but rather one should still wash for cleanliness. [2] If one doesn't have water one may still make the bracha of Asher Yatzer. [3]

Appropriate behavior in a bathroom

  1. One shouldn’t eat in a bathroom. [4]
  2. Men shouldn't talk while in the bathroom unless one hasn't begun to relieve oneself and there's a great need, however after one has begun one may not speak at all. However, it's permissible for women to speak to one another in the bathroom. [5]
  3. If one entered the bathroom not for going to the bathroom but for some other purpose it's permissible to talk in the bathroom. [6]
  4. In the days of Chazal, a man shouldn't reveal more than a Tefach behind oneself and two Tefachs in front and a women shouldn't reveal more than a Tefach behind oneself and nothing in front. [7] However, in our days when our bathrooms are private, one should be modest and cover oneself appropriately as much as possible without being concerning about dirting one's clothes, the toilet, or the bathroom. [8]

Bringing food into a bathroom

  1. One may bring medicines into the bathroom and leave it in a medicine cabinet. [9]

References

  1. ↑ S”A 7:1 writes that one does not make a bracha on the washing after going to the bathroom. Mishna Brurah 7:3 confirms it even though many disagree.
  2. ↑ S"A 7:2
  3. ↑ Mishna Brurah 7:5
  4. ↑ Bear Hetiev 3:2
  5. ↑ Rama 3:1, Mishna Brurah 3:4. See BeYitzchak Yikra (3:4, by Rav Nevinsal) who writes that it's always preferable not to speak in the bathroom even if there's a great need, however for women it's permissible and it's not even preferable to be stringent.
  6. ↑ Piskei Teshuvot 3:3
  7. ↑ S"A 3:4
  8. ↑ Piskei Teshuvot 3:2
  9. ↑ Halachically Speaking (vol 5, issue 3) quoting Sh"t Bear Moshe 8:41, Sh"t Rivevot Efraim 1:8(2), 2:6, Teshuvot VeHanhagot 1:11. See also Sh"T Tzitz Eliezer 14:2.
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