If a person closes his eyes, can he say a davar shebekedusha in front of an ervah?

Shulchon Aruch rules that one may say a davar shebekedusha in front of an ervah if he either closes his eyes or turns his head. (If the person himself is undressed, it does not help to close his eyes.) Many Achronim disagree, however, and maintain that saying a davar shebekedusha in such circumstances is only permitted if one turns his entire body to the side. The later Achronim debate whether, according to this opinion, it is acceptable to close one’s eyes if the visible ervah is in a different room.   

סעיף ו ס"ק כז-כט

Maintaining cleanliness when saying a davar shebekedusha

A person may only say a davar shebekedusha in a state of cleanliness. Therefore, one may not say a davar shebekedusha if there is tzoah (feces) within four amos of where he is standing. In addition, tzoah may not be in his line of sight at all, regardless of its distance from him. If the tzoah emanates a foul odor, one must stand four amos beyond the spot where the odor can no longer be detected. If the tzoah is covered--even with a transparent cover--and there is no odor, a davar shebekedusha may be recited. If the tzoah is covered and there is still an odor, the poskim debate whether one must stand four amos beyond the smell or whether it suffices to just move away from the smell.

סימן עו ס"ק א,ג וח' ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 12

Is stationary tzoah like tzoah which is being carried?

If tzoah is being carried or if one is standing by a body of water and tzoah is flowing by, a davar shebekedusha may not be said. According to some poskim, tzoah which is being transported has the same status as stationary tzoah (see above for guidelines). If tzoah passes alongside a person, being four amos away from it is sufficient since it is not right in front of him. Others say that under all circumstances, including when it is right in front of him, he only needs to be four amos away. Although one should be stringent, b’dieved he does not need to daven again if he already davened in circumstances where tzoah was within his line of sight (and at least four amos away). However, Shema (without its brochos) should be repeated.  

סימן עו ס"ק ח' 

• It is forbidden for a man to listen to a woman (other than his wife, daughter, mother or sister) sing. This applies to any woman starting from the age of eleven, whether she is single or married, Jewish or non-Jewish. It also applies to relatives (other than those enumerated above).

• Aside from the above prohibition, there is a halacha that when a man is saying a davar shebekedusha, he may not hear any woman sing – not even his wife or daughter. 

• The prohibition of saying a davar shebekedusha in front of an ervah also applies to the ervah of a non-Jew or child. According to the Shulchon Aruch, it begins even with a baby. Rema rules that it only begins with a boy from age nine and a girl from age three. 

• Can one say a davar shebekedusha in the vicinity of a foul odor if air freshener is used to mask it?

• Which parts of the body must be clean before one says a davar shebekedusha?

• What is the ideal way to dress for davening?