Continuing our theme of praying in a place of filth as we learn in Masechet Brachot Daf 25a, the Gemara says that that even praying in a place of feces which is as hard as earthenware is also prohibited. This is something new – as the feces (by this stage) would probably not give off a bad smell and also (perhaps) it has lost its definition of prohibited feces.
The Gemara then asks when it would officially lose its title of being considered moist. Ameimar says that it is forbidden to pray (or involve oneself in any holy matters) in front of feces even if it is hard like earthenware. Mar Zutra says that it is permitted.
The Gemara then discusses the issue of urine and also the degree to which it might prohibit dealing in holy matters in front of it. Is it sufficient if the urine has been absorbed into ground? What about if an impression remains? What is really considered to be moist? Perhaps moist refers to itself or perhaps it refers to a degree of a wetness whereby it imparts the wetness into something else – allowing that thing to have its own moisture to it. The Gemara goes into great detail as it strives to get a clear answer on this subject.
After these lengthy discussions concerning feces and urine and the degrees of wetness that impart a filth – enough to prohibit engaging in prayer and holy matters around it, the Gemara returns to the Mishnah which we are currently on.
The Gemara focuses on the Mitzvah of reciting Shema in the morning when a person has gone to purify himself in a Mikvah and finds time running out. May he recite the Keriat Shema inside the Mikvah itself? May one simply cover oneself up with the water of the Mikvah and recite the Shema this way? Or perhaps this is considered being able to see one’s own nakedness?
The Gemara then returns to the matter of feces asking about the law of praying in front of the filth if it is covered in a covering of sorts. Are we concerned with the actual feces (in which case it would be forbidden to pray there) or is it more that the feces must be covered (even if it is front of one?) The Gemara then asks a similar questions about praying in front of a person who is naked. Here the Gemara asks whether the law is in the same category as a concept or whether nakedness – no matter who it is – may not be seen, even if it is covered with a lantern like window.
If there is urine – is there a way to nullify it? If so, how much water would it take to nullify the effect of the urine? Does it make a difference if water would be present before the urine entered the place or whether the urine was present before the water came to nullify the urine?
What is the status of a chamber pot used to contain feces and urine? What about if it is completely empty? Is it permitted to pray in its vicinity?
The subject matter of our current Gemara is filled with very physical matters. While the matters discussed may seem far from the wonderful spiritual ideas we often consider the Torah as speaking about – our Gemara puts into practice some highly important parts of life that we often find ourselves in and how best to deal with them when it comes to matters of our spirituality – in a physical world.
