Shulchan Aruch: Chapter 87 - Extent to which One must Distance Himself from a Chamber Pot when Reciting Shema

SECTION 87 The Extent to which One must Distance Himself from a Chamber Pot when Reciting the Shema. (1-4)

1 [Before reciting the Shema] one must distance himself [at least] four cubits from a chamber pot or a receptacle for urine1 [if they are behind him or to his side], and [step back] until they are out of sight if they are in front of him, just as one must do with regard to actual feces or urine. [This applies even if the utensils] are empty and even if they are not malodorous. Since they are designated for this purpose, they are subject to the same laws as the walls of a lavatory, [near which] it is Scripturally forbidden [to recite the Shema],2 as it is written, “And your camp shall be holy.” Therefore, pouring a revi’is or more of water has no consequence with regard to a chamber pot or a receptacle for urine, though it is effective with regard to urine itself.3 [The rationale is that] after urine has reached the ground, the prohibition [against reciting the Shema near it] derives merely from the Sages. They therefore ruled leniently, allowing [the urine] to be nullified by water. This does not apply with regard to a chamber pot or a receptacle for urine, in which instances the prohibition is of Scriptural origin. Moreover, urine is [liquid] and mixes together with the revi’is of water poured into it and hence can be nullified by it. With regard to a chamber pot or a receptacle for urine, by contrast, [the filth] absorbed in them does not mix together with the water so that it can be nullified by it.

2 The terms used to refer to a chamber pot or a receptacle for urine both refer to earthenware vessels, except that one is designated for feces and the other, for urine. The above laws also apply if these vessels are made of wood, for [the substances of which these vessels are made] will have absorbed a great deal of filth and [hence] are offensive, like a lavatory. If, however, these utensils are made of metal, glass,4 or glazed earthenware (or tin or lead),5 since they will not have absorbed a great deal of filth [the Shema] may be recited in view of them if they have been washed thoroughly, provided they are not malodorous.

Even earthenware or wooden vessels are not comparable to a lavatory if they are also set aside for another purpose, e.g., as receptacles for dirty water. If they do not contain feces and are not malodorous, it is permitted [to recite the Shema near them]. The same applies if a utensil is designated only for urine, provided that every time [it is used], a revi’is of water is poured into it to nullify [the urine].

3 If a chamber pot or receptacle for urine is covered with another vessel,6 it is permitted [to recite the Shema near it];7 covering it is effective, just as it is with regard to actual feces and urine. By contrast, turning the chamber pot or receptacle for urine upside down accomplishes nothing. Since [the filth] is absorbed in it, its exterior is the same as its interior. If, however, [such a utensil is made of] metal or glass and its interior has not been washed, turning it upside down is effective, because the prohibition is brought about only by its interior.

4 When there are feces, urine, a chamber pot, or a receptacle for urine in a [room],8 it is permitted to recite [the Shema] if one distances himself [at least] four cubits, when they are located behind him. We do not say that the entire house is considered as [one’s immediate location of] four cubits.9

If the [room]8 contains a bed that is [at least] ten handbreadths high and its frame reaches down10 (to within three handbreadths11 of) the floor,12 should there be a chamber pot or feces behind the bed, the bed is considered as separating the person from them. He is thus not required to move four cubits away from them, provided the bed extends from wall to wall. If not, it is not considered a divider, for it is considered as a subsidiary part of the room.13

(If, however, one erected a divider [specifically] for this purpose, it need not extend from wall to wall, even if it is a temporary divider like a mat or a sheet.) (See sec. 315:3.)14 If one places [the chamber pot or the feces] under the bed, they are considered closed off and covered by the bed-frame even if it is not ten handbreadths high — provided the frame reaches down to within three handbreadths of the floor, for objects located within three handbreadths of each other are considered [joined, based on the principle of] lavud.

The same applies if a vessel fell on [the feces] and there is some open space between the vessel and the ground, one side of the rim being higher than the other. If the space [under it] is less than three handbreadths high, it is considered [joined, based on the principle of] lavud. If, however, the top of the utensil is open, it is forbidden [to recite the Shema] even if [the opening] is less than three handbreadths in size, because [the feces] must be covered and not exposed.