DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Halacha is For Refuah Shelemah for
 Simon ben Sylvia

Dedicated By
Saul Assa and Family

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
      
(File size: 828 KB)
Uttering a Name of God in a Restroom, Bathhouse or Mikveh

Halacha forbids uttering any Name of God while one is in the restroom, shower, bathhouse or Mikveh, as these are places where people are generally unrobed or perform their personal needs.

 

The Sages have taught that the word "Shalom," which we generally translate as "peace," is also one of the Names of God, a concept derived from a verse in the Book of Shoftim (6:24 – "Va'yikra lo Hashem Shalom").  Hence, one may not say the word "Shalom" in areas where Halacha forbids uttering a Name of God.  This applies as well to greetings such as "Shalom Aleichem" or "Shabbat Shalom."

 

According to the Ben Ish Chai in Parashat VaYetze, Halacha 16, (Rabbi Yosef Chayim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), this prohibition applies even to saying "Shalom" in reference to a person named "Shalom."  Since this word is a Name of God, it may not be uttered in these areas in any capacity.  Similarly, he rules that one may not mention a person's name if it contains a Name of God, such as "Abdullah" (which contains the word "Allah," the Arabic word for "God") or "Ovadia" (which contains "Ya-h," a Name of God).

 

Chacham Ovadia Yosef in Halichot Olam, Helek 1, page 43, however, disagrees, and permits making reference to a person named "Shalom" or mentioning a name that contains a Name of God.  In his view, since the name is used in this context in specific reference to a person, it may be said in areas where one may not utter a Name of God.

 

Summary: One may not utter any Name of God, including the word "shalom," in a restroom, shower, bathhouse or Mikveh.  This Issur (restriction) would include saying ‘Shabbat Shalom.’  One may utter the word "shalom" in these areas only in reference to a person known by that name.  A name that contains within it a name of God, such as the name "Ovadia," may be uttered in these areas.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Situations Requiring Netilat Yadayim
Is A Person Required To Say Asher Yatzar Every Time If Using The Bathroom Excessively Due To An Illness
Should One Make Borei Nefashot First Before Asher Yatzar If Having Gone To the Bathroom Before Reciting Borei Nefashot
Is It Permissible To Answer Amen To Kadish, Nakdisach, or Barechu While Reciting Asher Yatzar
Does The Beracha of Me’en Shalosh Fulfill One’s Obligation If Said By Mistake Instead of Birkat HaMazon
Is One Required To Make Netilat Yadayim Before Eating Cereal and Before Dipping Crackers Into Butter
Does One Have To Repeat The Birkat HaMazon If He Is In Doubt If He Said Ritze VeChalitzenu on Shabbat
Birkat Hailanot
Netilat Yadayim When Waking Prior To Alot Hashachar
What Is The Proper Procedure Of Washing When Coming From The Bathroom And Eating Immediately Thereafter
Who Should Say The Hamotzih When Sitting Among Many People?
Is It Permissible to Say Hashem's Name in A Bathroom Or In A Mikveh
A Comprehensive Understanding of the Beracha of Asher Yasar
Yom Tov- The Proper Beracha for Aliyat Maftir on Shabbat Hol Hamoed
Treating Hol HaMoed Properly
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found