What is the halachic status of the requirement for a clean body (guf naki) during prayer — is it biblical or rabbinic, and does that affect when it can be overridden?
Synopsis
Authorities analyze whether the prohibition against flatulence during prayer is d'oraita or d'rabbanan, which determines whether it can be set aside for biblical obligations like Shema or widespread mitzvot like prayer.
More in Prayer Near Flowing Water and Waste
If a person cannot restrain himself from flatulence through the entire Shema and Amidah, should he skip prayer entirely and make it up at Mincha, or should he pray despite the interruptions?
6 opinions across 3 eras
Must a person also let the time of Shema pass (in addition to prayer) if he cannot maintain a clean body, or does the rule apply only to the Amidah?
4 opinions
When a person in this situation can restrain himself during Shema but not the Amidah, may he put on tefillin between the blessing of Ahavah Rabbah and the recitation of Shema, and does he recite a blessing over them?
5 opinions
Does the rule about deferring prayer due to inability to maintain guf naki apply even to Mincha and Maariv (when tefillin are not worn), or only to Shacharit?
2 opinions
Related from other topics
Which specific prayers require advance organization: does the requirement apply only to Mussaf, or also to Yaaleh v'Yavo insertions and other occasional additions?
Answering Amen During Prayer
If one passes gas during prayer and the smell lingers, where does one resume prayer after the smell dissipates?
Bodily Needs During Prayer
If one urgently needs to pass gas during prayer and cannot hold back, must one walk backward four cubits before doing so?
Bodily Needs During Prayer
Is it permitted to pass gas at all during prayer, or must one hold back even at the cost of discomfort?
Bodily Needs During Prayer
Must one walk specifically backward (not sideways or forward) when retreating four cubits to pass gas during prayer?
Bodily Needs During Prayer
What is the halakhic sign of passing gas from below ('from below') versus sneezing from the nose ('from above') during prayer?
Bodily Needs During Prayer
Discussion
Discussion coming soon.
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