11

Per Food in bathroom it is forbidden to eat in the bathroom. Can a lady nurse in the bathroom or is it considered like eating in the bathroom? (sources)

Improve this question
3
  • 3
    Is the nursing infant bound by the mitzvot?
    – Monica Cellio
    Jan 30, 2012 at 15:14
  • 2
    @MonicaCellio, normally we don't allow someone to physically cause even an infant to violate halacha (AFAIK; but consult your rabbi for practical guidance).
    – msh210 ♦
    Jan 30, 2012 at 15:35
  • 1
    Consider the leniencies provided in this answer (judaism.stackexchange.com/a/2048/5), as well as the importance of feeding a hungry infant.
    – Seth J
    Jan 30, 2012 at 20:53

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
7

Rav Aharon Yehuda HaLevi Grossman (V'Darashta VChakarta 4:42:7) permitted nursing in a bathroom particularly in a case where doing so would allow for proper modest behavior.

Source

Improve this answer
4
  • If there was no problem with modesty, is it still OK?
    – Gershon Gold
    Jan 30, 2012 at 18:15
  • 1
    He brings a number of other reasons to be lenient besides modesty but he doesn't rule explicitly in that case. See the link.
    – Double AA ♦
    Jan 30, 2012 at 18:21
  • 1
    The Ben Ish Ḥai mentions an opinion (I had thought it was his own, but apparently he only held it can be relied upon in She'ath HaDeḥak - jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/ben-ish-hai; yoatzot.org/question.php?id=7552) that a nursing mother's breasts are considered like her hands and face (normally exposed), and that one can recite Shema' in front of her.
    – Seth J
    Jan 30, 2012 at 21:06
  • 1
    Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky permits it but if possible to avoid. See hebrewbooks.org/…
    – Barry
    Feb 7, 2012 at 18:27
3

So far, the only source I have seen for not eating in the bathroom is the B'er Heitev (OC 3:2). He extends this law as a kol shekein ("even more so") from talking. I am assuming they are forbidden for the same reason- it is improper. In line with that reasoning is why women did speak in a bathroom- otherwise there could be a breach in modesty.

I would think an infant has a different standard than an adult (do you stop feeding your child if he is expelling waste?), especially considering the following regarding talking (from R' Sheinberg):

While actually expelling waste (nifne): forbidden except for a great need

While on the toilet: permitted for a need (l'tzurach)

Finished expelling waste: permitted

While we cannot apply that directly to eating since that is worse (the kol shekain), it can certainly be used as a snif l'hakel (element to consider toward ruling leniently).

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .