Must one stay away from the tzoah of an animal when saying a davar shebekedusha?

In previous articles we have discussed the halachos of saying a davar shebekedusha in the vicinity of tzoah. These halochos pertained to human excrement. Tzoah of most animals is not subject to the same restrictions unless it emits a foul odor. If it has an odor, it has the same status as tzoah from humans. The poskim disagree about whether it still retains its status as tzoah after it ceases to omit an odor.

סעיף ד-ו, ס"ק כב-כד, וביה"ל ד"ה דינם

May one daven in a chicken coop?

The restrictions that pertain to saying devarim shebekedusha in areas containing tzoah also apply to other rotting substances and smelly locations, including animal carcasses, enclosed chicken coops, butchering areas which have a strong rotting smell and wine cellars that contain putrid products. Inherently foul-smelling products whose smell does not come from rot are not considered like tzoah, and devarim shebekedusha may be said in their vicinity. Examples include foul-smelling fuels and human sweat.

סעיף ה ו־ז, ס"ק כג ו־כח, וביה"ל ד"ה אבל; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 35-33

What is the status of a person with a heightened sense of smell?

As we have learned, a person who cannot smell has the same restrictions regarding devarim shebekedusha as someone who can smell. A person who has an ultra-sensitive sense of smell and can pick up scents from far away may only daven when he is four amos away from the place where he can no longer smell tzoah.

ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 32

• A person may not recite a davar shebekedusha if there is tzoah within his four amos, unless the tzoah is behind a partition or is in another room. A swinging curtain does not serve as a proper partition. A tzuras hapesach (two posts with a crossbeam) does not serve as a proper divider either.

• If there is visible tzoah in another room, the Rishonim disagree about whether a davar shebekedusha can be said. Some say that it is forbidden, since tzoah may not be in one’s vicinity or field of vision. This disagreement remains unresolved, and one should be stringent.

• If tzoah in an adjoining room emits a smell, it is forbidden to say a davar shebekedusha, even if the tzoah is completely out of sight. The poskim disagree about whether it is necessary to be four amos away from the place where the odor can no longer be smelled or whether it is sufficient to stand at the point where it can no longer be smelled. 

• When shouldn’t a person put on tefillin?

• When is it necessary to pause in the middle of davening?

• May one daven near a garbage dump?