The Significance of the Word "Shabbat"

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

The Significance of the Word "Shabbat"
http://dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=3/7/2008 (audio available)

The Kaf Ha'haim (Halachic work by Rabbi Yaakov Haim Sofer, 1870-1939) writes (Orah Haim 250:12) that it is forbidden to mention the word "Shabbat" in places where Halacha forbids speaking words of Torah, such as in restrooms, a Mikveh, and places with filth. The reason, he explains, is that, as the Zohar comments, the word "Shabbat" is one of the Names of the Almighty, and as such the very mention of the word must reflect the honor owed to the Name of God.

This concept, of "Shabbat" constituting one of the divine Names, helps us understand an otherwise perplexing passage in the Talmud. The Gemara in Masechet Megila tells that when Haman sought to malign the Jewish people to Ahashverosh, he referred to them as "Shehi Pehi." Rashi, in his commentary, explains these words as acronyms representing the phrases "Shabbat Hayom" ("It is Shabbat today") and "Pesah Hayom" ("It is Pesah today"). Haman described the Jews as a lazy people, who found excuses for their inactivity by inventing occasions such as Shabbat and Pesah. The question immediately arises, why did Haman employ such a subtle term in reference to what he perceived as the Jewish nation's indolence? Why didn't he just explicitly say that the Jews observe too many days of rest?

The answer becomes abundantly clear once we realize that the word "Shabbat" is one of the Names of God. Even Haman recognized the significance and sanctity of this word, and thus out of his sheer repugnance for the Jewish people and their faith, he refused to even utter the word "Shabbat." He instead invoked an acronym to convey his venomous hatred of the Jews, to avoid saying a term associated with holiness.

Summary: One should not say the word "Shabbat" while in the restroom, Mikveh, or other places where it is inappropriate to speak of Torah matters.

[Eliezer Ben Avraham]

interesting halacha, although I see no reason why I would say the word Shabbat in the bathroom anyway....

[q_q_]

if you`re very strict, and you accidentally tear the toilet paper. And you talk to yourself. OOPS, SHABBAT!

Or, if you`re on the toilet, and you think the shabak have wired something along the pipes leading to your toilet.  And you talk to yourself. And you`re about to say SHABAK!   Then something starts buzzing between your rear end, and the water of the toilet, and you jump out and say WHAT, just as you`re finishing saying SHABAK. And SHABAK(transformed into WHAT), comes out as SHABBAT!

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

I heard in other Halachot that a Jew shouldn't talk at all in the bathroom.

[Kahane-Was-Right BT]

if you`re very strict, and you accidentally tear the toilet paper. And you talk to yourself. OOPS, SHABBAT!

Or, if you`re on the toilet, and you think the shabak have wired something along the pipes leading to your toilet.  And you talk to yourself. And you`re about to say SHABAK!   Then something starts buzzing between your rear end, and the water of the toilet, and you jump out and say WHAT, just as you`re finishing saying SHABAK. And SHABAK(transformed into WHAT), comes out as SHABBAT!

LOL

[Kahane-Was-Right BT]

I heard in other Halachot that a Jew shouldn't talk at all in the bathroom.

Isn't it that most say regular talking is fine but it is forbidden to say shalom to your friend in the bathroom.

[q_q_]

I heard in other Halachot that a Jew shouldn't talk at all in the bathroom.

Isn't it that most say regular talking is fine but it is forbidden to say shalom to your friend in the bathroom.

don`t you americans say bathroom when you mean toilet? 
(what about bathroom, is that washroom?)

And presumably this is a big toilet..  `cos I cannot imagine a friend being in a small toilet.