Netilat Yadayim in the Bathroom

As a washroom is considered to be a place which is "unclean" from the perspective of halacha,[1] one is not permitted to recite a blessing or to perform any mitzva there. For example, one who relieved oneself should only recite the customary "asher yatzar" blessing after leaving the washroom. Similarly, one should not perform the "netilat yadayim" before meals in a washroom.[2] In fact, some authorities suggest not even speaking Hebrew in a washroom out of respect for the holy language.[3]

It is also explained that a washroom is considered to be an "impure place" and subject to "impure spirits". As such, one should not drink water from a bathroom faucet as it is believed that these "impure spirits" attach themselves to food and drink which are brought into a bathroom.[4] Indeed, it is forbidden to eat in a bathroom[5] and one should also avoid consuming any food or beverage that was taken into a bathroom even momentarily.[6] Some authorities include closed containers of food in this prohibition, as well. However, in extenuating circumstances, such as in the event that there is no other source of water besides the bathroom, one may use water retrieved from a bathroom for hand washing, cooking, and the like.[7]

It certainly happens on occasion that one is left with no choice but to wash one's hands in a washroom in order to eat bread. This is often the case at an airport, on an airplane, and other similar situations where facilities for a proper pre-meal hand washing do not exist. In the event that one is forced to make use of a washroom for netilat yadayim one should fill the washing cup with water in the bathroom but perform the actual hand washing outside of the washroom.[8] When even this is not possible, one may perform the hand washing in the washroom and then recite the accompanying blessing upon leaving the washroom.[9]

Among the reasons that in a case of great need it is permitted to use a washroom for netilat yadayim is because washrooms today are quite different from what they once were. In Talmudic times, toilets were not flushable and bodily waste was always present. In our day, however, washrooms are far cleaner, often have little or no odors, and are used for a variety of other functions as well, such as grooming and storage.[10] As such, a number of authorities rule that our washrooms are no longer considered to have the status of "beit hakissei" and are not subject to the restrictions that washrooms were once subject to.[11]

[1] Gittin 70a.

[2] Chazon Ish, OC 24:26; Igrot Moshe, EH 1:114

[3] Sefer Chassidim 994; Salmat Chaim Hashalem 107.

[4] Gittin 70a.

[5] OC 3:2.

[6] Rivevot Ephraim 1:8.

[7] Har Tzvi 1:50; Mishne Halachot 5:2.

[8] Mishna Berura 160:54.

[9] Piskei Teshuvot 160 note 74,75.

[10] Cf. OC 83:4. See also Maharsham 4:29 regarding one who slept in a bathroom.

[11] Chazon Ish 17:4; Minchat Yitzchak 1:60, 4:36:4; Shuva Yisrael 5.