עברית
Prayer and Blessings
Is it Permissible to Pray Near a Dog?
Question
1. Is it permissible to pray in a room where a dog resides during prayer?
2. Are there any other prohibitions regarding dogs?
Thank you.
Answer
Greetings,
1. It is permitted (see Shulchan Aruch, Siman 76, Section 4, and Biur Halacha, s.v. if there is).
2. One who touches a dog is not required to wash hands, yet it is good to be stringent (see Halacha Brura, Part 1, Siman 4, Section 58, and Shaar Hatziyon, s.k. 124).
3. A dog is considered muktzah - therefore, it is forbidden to lift or pet it on Shabbat (see Shulchan Aruch, Siman 308, Section 39, Mishnah Berurah, s.k. 141, Responsa Yabia Omer, Part 5, Orach Chaim, Siman 26, and Hazon Ovadia, Shabbat, Part 3, pages 163-164).
Blessings,
Hillel Meirs
