Must one be dressed appropriately when saying divrei Torah in English?

As we have learned, there are numerous restrictions on a person’s clothing and behavior when he is saying a davar shebekedusha. These restrictions apply even if the davar shebekedusha is said in a language other than Lashon Kodesh. Thinking about Torah is permissible even if an ervah is visible. The poskim debate whether writing divrei Torah in front of an ervah is permitted.

ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 4

Can one be yotzei Sefiras Ha’omer by writing the count of the day?

The Achronim discuss whether writing is the equivalent of speaking. One of the practical aspects of this question is whether one can be yotzei Sefiras Haomer by writing down the count of the day. The Achronim add that if the writer specifically intends for his writing not to be the equivalent of speaking, he is not yotzei with writing. This question is also relevant to the above-mentioned scenario of writing divrei Torah in front of an ervah. Some say that even if writing is not like speaking, one should not write when an ervah is visible since he may inadvertently articulate the divrei Torah (which is clearly forbidden in front of an ervah).



ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 4

May one write during davening?

The poskim disagree about whether writing is permitted during the parts of davening when speaking is forbidden. Some say that writing is forbidden in this case because the act of writing has even more gravitas than speaking. Others say that even if writing is not the equivalent of speaking, it is still forbidden since one may come to speak. A third view permits writing during davening.

נ"ל

• The Torah states lo yeraeh becha ervas davar. Chazal derive from this pasuk that a davar shebekedusha may not be said when an ervah (private part of a person) is visible.

• Chazal explain that aside from seeing with the eyes, a person’s heart also “sees”. When a person says a davar shebekedusha, there must be a barrier between his heart and his ervah.

• The halachos regarding ervah and one’s eyes are mid’oraisa, while those pertaining to the heart are only mid’rabonon. 

• Can one who is bathing recite a brocha?

• Can a person say a brocha in the middle of the night without a yarmulka?

• After a person touches a covered area, does he always need to wash his hands?