- Q. Mi Rabino Querido, I usually read books of food recipes while I’m in the bathroom. Can it be done on Shabbat?
A. Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchoso (29: 46) rules that one should not read cooking instructions during Shabbos as one would avoid reading about prohibited business ventures or the technical operation of equipment.
However, on note116 he quotes Horav S. Z. Auerbach Zt”l that if he is only reading about the ingredients needed and avoids the actual cooking procedures on the stove or oven, it could be permitted.
Beer Moshe (6: 67) mentions something similar especially for women gathering together and enjoying the conversation. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
Since the question deals with location, I was hoping that Horav would address another angel of the question which is the actual stay in the bathroom such as: How long (short) should it be? Is there a situation of leisure or study in the bathroom? Is this a place I should feel comfortable to be in? Should I refrain from Talking over there? Phone calls? Halacha without Hashkafa sometimes leaves the person behind.
Important Numbers
