Q&A: A Cantor Urinating in the Kinneret
A Cantor Urinating in the Kinneret
Question
About half a year ago I asked the Rabbi a question here on the site, and the Rabbi answered me that it was a question suited to Adar and maybe then he would answer it.
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find that question, so I’ll repeat it briefly, and I’d be glad if the honorable Rabbi would answer.
Of course, the Rabbi’s decision about when to answer is legitimate; the Rabbi doesn’t owe me anything. But if the Rabbi thinks this is, Heaven forbid, trolling and therefore chose to answer only in Adar, then I hereby inform you that there is of course no concern of trolling here.
And now to the matter itself:
A respected cantor in the community arrived at the Kinneret, and instead of stepping out and relieving himself in an appropriate place, he did so in the Kinneret where everyone bathes.
Afterward he loudly announced what he had done, and also dipped his hands in the water of the Kinneret after urinating there, put the child’s swim ring on his head, and recited the Asher Yatzar blessing loudly and in cantorial style.
It didn’t bother him that the public around him—some laughed, some were just embarrassed, some were disgusted, etc.
And now to my halakhic questions, in my humble opinion.
1. Is someone who urinates in the Kinneret fit to be a cantor in a respected community? (And he loudly announced what he had done.)
2. Does dipping his hands in water into which he had just urinated suffice for the blessing?
3. Is a swim ring suitable attire for a blessing?
4. Aside from the Jewish law, does the Rabbi have a moral comment on this behavior? (The cantor, unfortunately, peeks at this site.)
I would be glad for the honorable Rabbi’s answers.
And have a good month.
Answer
- This is plainly inappropriate behavior. I don’t know whether it disqualifies him from serving as a cantor, but one certainly should not appoint him. Crude and inappropriate behavior.
2. Dipping is effective just as in any other place in the Kinneret.
3. Why not?
4. I already commented.
Discussion on Answer
If I may ask the Rabbi, please: what is crude about his behavior? The fact that he announced his exploits in public, or the fact that he urinated in the Kinneret?
The question’s connection to Adar is that apparently both the questioner and the respondent held that the cantor should have fulfilled, “And he restrained himself … and came into his house,” but it seems that the cantor held that it is not proper for a person to hold in his bodily functions because of “do not make yourselves detestable,” and it’s also not good for one’s health. Therefore, when there are no nearby bathrooms, one may urinate in the Kinneret, where it is nullified in a billion.
With blessings,
Simcha Fish"l HaLevi Plankton