Is one obligated to attend to bodily needs (relieve oneself) before sitting down to a meal?

BlessingsDaily LifeEating Practices

Synopsis

Both the Magen Avraham and the Mishnah Berurah, citing kabbalistic and Talmudic sources, recommend relieving oneself before eating; the Aruch HaShulchan notes this practice is not widely observed.

Early Acharonim
Late Acharonim
Lenient
Strict
Lesser cited
Major authority

Discussion

Discussion coming soon.

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