When is it permissible to issue a halachic ruling in a bathroom?

It is forbidden to think about devarim shebekedusha in an unclean place. Since issuing a halachic ruling is included in thinking about Torah, one may not issue a halachic ruling in a bathroom or bathhouse even if he is not explaining the reasoning behind the ruling. In cases where an immediate ruling is necessary (e.g. someone is about to transgress a prohibition), a directive may be issued. Some hold that it is best not articulate the ruling as a halachic directive (e.g. “It is forbidden to do that action”), but rather to say “do not do that”. One may think about Torah in an unclean place in order to suppress a lustful thought which comes to mind.

סימן פה, סעיף ב, ס"ק יג-יד, וביה"ל ד"ה ואם

May one daven near spoiled wine?

One may not be involved in devarim shebekedusha in the vicinity of a foul odor. It is only an issue if the foul odor emanates from tzoah, mei raglayim or other putrid substances which are rotten enough to disturb people. The poskim disagree about whether devarim shebekedusha are forbidden in a wine cellar that smells of spoiled wine. Some Gedolim were stringent even though they held that it was permissible according to the letter of law. Devarim shebekedusha may be said in the vicinity of vomit.

סימן פו, ס"ק א ו־ג; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 4-1

May one daven in front of a sewage pipe?

A graf shel rei and avit shel mei raglayim (chamber pots for tzoah or mei raglayim) have the same status as a beis hakisei, and one may not be involved in devarim shebkedusha in their vicinity. This is true even if they have been thoroughly cleaned; since they are dedicated for this purpose, they will always be like a beis hakisei. A graf or avit is only problematic if it is made from a porous material such as clay or wood. If it is made from metal, glass, or clay which is glazed with glass (or lead, according to some views) and it was completely cleansed, a davar shebekedusha may be recited in its vicinity. The poskim discuss whether a davar shebekedusha may be said in front of a sewage pipe. Some say that it is not like a graf because it is designed to carry sewage and not to contain sewage.

סימן פז, סעיף א, ס"ק א, ב ו־ד; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 3

• In places where it is forbidden to think about devarim shebekedusha, it is also forbidden to think about dikduk (grammar of Lashon Hakodesh), since thoughts of dikduk would likely call to mind various pesukim.

• In places where it is forbidden to speak about devarim shebekedusha, the prohibition applies to speaking in Lashon Hakodesh as well as any other language.

• Although it is forbidden to think about Torah in an unclean place, if a Torah thought entered one’s mind in an unclean place, no prohibition has been violated. 

• Are rubber and plastic absorbent materials?

• Is a graf an issue if it is turned upside down?

• Can plastic be kashered?