795. May I say Baruch Hamavdil in the bathroom?
We are required to make Havdalah (literal meaning: separation; a blessing recited over wine at the conclusion of Shabbos) to distinguish the beginning of the workweek from the end of Shabbos. However, if there is need to do melachah (work forbidden on Shabbos) before the Havdalah ceremony, it is sufficient to say a shortened version of the blessing: “Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol” (Blessed is He who separates between the holy and the ordinary).
Contemporary poskim pose the following question: May we say “Baruch hamavdil” in the bathroom? We may find ourselves using the facilities at the close of Shabbos and would welcome the opportunity to turn on the light, use the hot water tap or rip toilet paper.*
(This query is not addressed by earlier authorities, since it had no application before the advent of indoor plumbing).
There are poskim who posit that a mitzvah should never be performed in the bathroom. Since saying “Baruch hamavdil” is in a sense a mini-Havdalah, perhaps it may not occur there. Most authorities agree that there are many reasons to be lenient on this account.
However, there is a second issue to consider: Even absent a mitzvah, we do not mention Hashem’s name in the bathroom. Although the brachah of “Baruch hamavdil,” does not contain Hashem’s Holy name, He is referenced in the brachah and poskim rule that a phrase of this type may not be recited in the bathroom.
But if a person would like to perform melachah while stuck in the bathroom once Shabbos departs, a different phrase that mentions the distinction between the holiness of Shabbos and weekdays—without reference to Hashem—may be recited.
* Please note that there are various opinions regarding the permissibility of tearing toilet paper on Shabbos that are beyond the scope of this halachah.