Daat Emet
  • Torah, Science & Ethics
    • Pamphlets
    • Scientific Errors in Torah
    • Religion & Ethics
    • Mitzvahs
    • Religion Caught in Its Own Net
  • Torah & Talmud
    • Weekly Portion
    • Torah Text
    • Talmud Issues
    • Daily Peppers
  • Questions & Answers
  • Who We Are
    • About Daat Emet
    • Our Supporters
    • Support Us
  • English
    • עברית (Hebrew)
    • Русский (Russian)
    • Yiddish
    • Français (French)
  • Torah, Science & Ethics
    • Pamphlets
    • Scientific Errors in Torah
    • Religion & Ethics
    • Mitzvahs
    • Religion Caught in Its Own Net
  • Torah & Talmud
    • Weekly Portion
    • Torah Text
    • Talmud Issues
    • Daily Peppers
  • Questions & Answers
  • Who We Are
    • About Daat Emet
    • Our Supporters
    • Support Us
  • English
    • עברית (Hebrew)
    • Русский (Russian)
    • Yiddish
    • Français (French)
Daat Emet
  • Torah, Science & Ethics
    • Pamphlets
    • Scientific Errors in Torah
    • Religion & Ethics
    • Mitzvahs
    • Religion Caught in Its Own Net
  • Torah & Talmud
    • Weekly Portion
    • Torah Text
    • Talmud Issues
    • Daily Peppers
  • Questions & Answers
  • Who We Are
    • About Daat Emet
    • Our Supporters
    • Support Us
  • English
    • עברית (Hebrew)
    • Русский (Russian)
    • Yiddish
    • Français (French)
  • Torah, Science & Ethics
    • Pamphlets
    • Scientific Errors in Torah
    • Religion & Ethics
    • Mitzvahs
    • Religion Caught in Its Own Net
  • Torah & Talmud
    • Weekly Portion
    • Torah Text
    • Talmud Issues
    • Daily Peppers
  • Questions & Answers
  • Who We Are
    • About Daat Emet
    • Our Supporters
    • Support Us
  • English
    • עברית (Hebrew)
    • Русский (Russian)
    • Yiddish
    • Français (French)
Is one permitted to learn Torah in the presence of the odor of flatulence?
Home » Daily Peppers
Yaron Yadan 07/28/2009
Is one permitted to learn Torah in the presence of the odor of flatulence?

One is forbidden to study Torah in a room in which there is excrement and a noticeable odor. But what is the rule if there is the odor of excrement, but the waste has already been removed, what Chazal call an odor with no substance?
The scholars asked Rav Sheshet: may one study Torah in the presence of an odor which has no substance? Rav Sheshet answered that in the study hall of Rav some students slept and some learned at the same time. Those who slept probably passed gas in their sleep, yet those who were studying continued. This means that an odor which has no substance (like flatulence or excrement which has been removed) does not keep one from studying. But this permission applies only to others’ flatulence; if one passed gas himself, he is forbidden to continue his learning. Another issue noted by the sages was that this permission applies to learning, but not to reciting the Shema. This is forbidden even in the presence of an odor without substance, such as flatulence.
(Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Berachot 25a)

About the Author

ירון ידען View all posts by Yaron Yadan

ירון ידען (נולד בטבריה ב-8 בדצמבר 1961) הוא פעיל חברתי ומייסד ארגון "דעת אמת" העומד בראש מפלגת אור.

Additional Peppers
G-d created the woman from Adam

G-d created the woman from Adam

A married woman who spins in public with the yarn between her legs is divorced without recompense

A married woman who spins in public with the yarn between her legs is divorced without recompense

Were the people killed by Elisha children or youths?

Were the people killed by Elisha children or youths?

What is the rule for a woman who saw blood from her womb during sex?

What is the rule for a woman who saw blood from her womb during sex?

The male raven who suspected Noah desired the female raven and why Africans are Black

The male raven who suspected Noah desired the female raven and why Africans are Black

Is a gentile woman taken as a slave to a Jewish man by sexual relations?

Is a gentile woman taken as a slave to a Jewish man by sexual relations?

One who has sex with a woman who is simultaneously his sister, the sister of his mother, and the sister of his father

One who has sex with a woman who is simultaneously his sister, the sister of his mother, and the sister of his father

© 2016 כל הזכויות שמורות לדעת אמת.
Skip to content
Open toolbar Accessibility Tools

Accessibility Tools

  • Increase TextIncrease Text
  • Decrease TextDecrease Text
  • GrayscaleGrayscale
  • High ContrastHigh Contrast
  • Negative ContrastNegative Contrast
  • Light BackgroundLight Background
  • Links UnderlineLinks Underline
  • Readable FontReadable Font
  • Reset Reset