Food in a Bathroom

I am in a very nice hotel in an area with not much food. I would like to wash and prepare a salad for myself and rinse some canned chickpeas on the bathroom sink which is my only sink of course. My said has said she will not eat it if the food enters the bathroom. How strict is this and can i eat it if i already prepared it? And how else would I wash a fruit or vegetable? I am not comfortable asking to use their kitchen.

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

First allow me to begin by noting that while bringing food into the bathroom is subject to some discussion, which I will share below, it is unanimous that one may not eat in a bathroom.

Along these lines it is customary to avoid storing food in a bathroom or even to bring food into a bathroom for even a moment. 

However, ultimately, it is permitted to bring food into a bathroom in a situation of need. Indeed, even those who are strict with bringing food into a bathroom acknowledge that food that was brought into a bathroom may nevertheless be eaten. There is no source in the Talmud against bringing food into the bathroom. It began as an extension regarding concern of “ruach raah,” the spirit of impurity, which is a topic beyond the scope of this write-up. Indeed, historically many housewives would kasher their meat in the bathtub and use if for other food storage needs as well, when urgent. Similarly, one may use the bathtub as an “ice box” to cool drinks.

Therefore, in your case, you may wash your vegetables in the hotel room bathroom and eat them (don’t forget the check the vegetables for bugs!). One should endeavor not to take care of one’s bodily needs at a time when there is food in the bathroom.

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