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

# One may speak hebrew in the bathroom and it is a pious practice not to. <ref>Shulchan Aruch 85:2, Mishna Brurah 85:9</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 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==

# 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. <ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 6:3</ref>

# It is permitted to say Hashem's name in a form of praise, or bracha according to the need, or as one is learning. <ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 6:3</ref>