Sakana - Food in a Bathroom

QUESTION: May one enter a bathroom with food in one’s pocket? 

ANSWER: The Tzitz Eliezer (14:2) writes that there is no source that ru’ach ra’ah affects food that was brought into a bathroom. One of his proofs is from the Be’er Heitev (OC 3:2) who writes only that one may not eat in a bathroom, and does not mention any restriction about bringing food into the bathroom. He also cites Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld who likewise ruled that there is no prohibition against bringing food there, but it is improper to bring food to a place that is unclean. If the food is stored safely in one’s pocket, or is wrapped up or sealed, there would be no concern of cleanliness or ru’ach ra’ah.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.