The guemara says that the best interpretation of the pasuk "leet metzo" is the one that says that one should pray to find a restroom...How can the guemara say that this answer is the best considering that this is the only anwer that didnt bring a pasuk as a proof? how can the guemara say that a restroom is more important than wife or death??
Solly Ashkenazi, Panama
The Maharsha answers your question by saying that this opinion provides the best simple explanation for the end of this Pasuk, "(l'Eis Metzo) Rak l'Sheitef Mayim Rabim Ailav Lo Yagiu" - "just for a stream of much water that they should not come to him." This is best interpreted by the explanation that this is referring to being able to go to the bathroom, as it means that he will not have to hold in his urine and eventually have it all run down his knees. Mar Zutra's explanation therefore is not necessarily more important than a wife or death, but it best fits in the simple meaning of the Pasuk.
All the best,
Yaakov Montrose
Rebbe,
Didn't we learn about someone who had to urinate and his chaver said: "Your Mother-in-Law is coming." He said" Afilu b'udnei." Doesn't this teach us that one is not allowed to hold it in even if people are around because he could harm his health and even become sterile?
B'kavod,
Sam Kosofsky.
Yes, this is true, if one is in a place where he has no chance of making it to a restroom before he will endanger himself. Obviously, this does not mean that whenever a person has an urge to go to the bathroom he should do so in public.
All the best,
Yaakov Montrose