Points you don’t want to miss:

The Talmud relates that the “prior” custom was that when a man entered a bathroom he would leave his Teffilin outside. A concern developed that a passerby might take the Teffilin. And so, the rule “currently” is that he should take the Teffilin in to the restroom with him, properly wrapped (see below).

The Talmud relates a particular story that caused the change of ruling: A student once left his Teffilin outside the restroom, and a woman of ill-repute took them. She came to the Beis Medrash (study hall) and declared, “Look what that student gave me as my wage.” When the student heard that he was being maligned in such a way, he went to a roof and jumped. So they revised the ruling as described.

It is worth remarking that the tragedy is the reaction that the student had. The claim of the woman was not– in objective terms– considered the tragedy. In the Beis Medrash they knew she was a liar.

*****************************************

In order to take sacred items into a restroom, they should be double wrapped. The first reaction of many people is that Teffilin are automatically “double wrapped” simply by the way we store them in cases, and in bags. However, the Talmud and Halacha state that this requirement is not fulfilled by a cover which is designated for it. And so, and added bag (such as a shopping bag) and a suitcase, should be included in one’s strategy when travelling, to allow the Teffilin and other Seforim to be brought into the restroom.

*****************************************

One should cleanse the body by using the restroom before prayers. This is part of the requirement to prepare for prayer, and also enables us to fulfill the concept of, “All of me shall praise Hashem,” as even one’s insides are clean to the extent possible. In extreme cases, where a person really needed the bathroom badly and prayed anyway, there are cases where the prayer is invalid and would need to be repeated.

*****************************************

The Talmud recognizes that a person does not wish to interrupt a significant meal with the need to use the bathroom, and so, recommends using the bathroom beforehand. Joined with this recommendation, are some basic exercises for one who is having trouble, including walking, sitting, and standing.

*****************************************