Q&A: Defining Which Books Are Forbidden in the Bathroom
Defining Which Books Are Forbidden in the Bathroom
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I didn’t quite manage to understand what the precise definition of Torah in the person is. As I understand from your words, anything that can lead to understanding a concept in Torah is considered Torah in the person. Studying a passage in a science or philosophy book that will help me understand the Torah would count as Torah in the person.
Does that mean that I would be allowed to study that same passage in the bathroom—in unclean places—if it has the status of words of Torah in the person?
What is the difference between that and certain passages in the Talmud, for example?
Do you think that certain passages from fully Torah books could be read in the bathroom?
Could there be a difference between a bathroom and listening in the shower?
Thank you very much
Answer
No. There are preparatory means for the commandment of Torah study, and there is Torah in the person. For example, if mathematics helps one issue a halakhic ruling or interpret certain passages, then it is a preparatory means for a commandment. But if one studies it for the wisdom it contains in itself (and not as a means of interpretation), then that is Torah in the person.
In my opinion, there is no problem with bringing Talmudic aggadic passages into the bathroom. Even so, I would not recommend it because of the proper attitude due to the Talmud in general.
I don’t think there is any difference with a shower.
Discussion on Answer
The opposite. After all, I wrote about Talmudic aggadic passages. Torah in the person is not a text but a type of study. A holy book is an object of sanctity regardless of what one does with it, and therefore Torah in the person is not a holy book.
True, I’m not well-versed in the topic, but in many places the issue is not really dirt and filth but honor. A bathroom is not considered a respectable place no matter how clean it is.
Thank you very much!
1. Does that mean that Torah in the person may not be brought into unclean places, while preparatory means for a commandment may? Or am I mistaken…?
It’s a bit strange that it would be forbidden to bring mathematics into the bathroom even if it is for its own sake.
2. Is it possible that there is a difference, and that bathrooms nowadays, when they are clean, are not defined as unclean places? In my opinion, the bathroom in my house is cleaner than the study hall… All this, of course, if one is there for a different purpose, for example shaving, etc.
Thanks again.