Can You Flush The Toilet On Shabbat?

It’s no surprise that flushing toilets is allowed during Shabbat. There’s some debate on whether it is permitted for a person to flush out a toilet fitted with a disinfectant device which dyes the water as you flush it. It is generally agreed in halachic authorities to not flush a toilet on Shabbat. It is because it could be in violation of tzoveiah. This is the restriction against the coloring of any object or substance during Shabbat. Therefore, people who have such devices in their homes should take them out prior to Shabbat.

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Someone who is left with the choice of using toilets whose water is going to be colored when flushed can have a variety of choices to pick from. There are reasons to be flexible with disinfecting equipment that is attached to the tank’s top instead of that of the tank’s bowl. This is due to the fact that when the toilet is flushed, the water is not instantly colored. The coloring occurs only when the tank is replenished and is filled to the top. The time between flushing water from the toilet, and then the color in the tank, also called grammar, is what is the basis of leniency in the event of extenuating circumstances.

Disinfectants that are attached to the inside of the toilet bowl pose a greater risk since the coloration takes place when it is flushed. In this situation one must take off the disinfectant before flushing the toilet. This should be done using indirect methods. If this isn’t feasible the toilet can be flushed based on principles of Kavod Habriot. In this instance, however, it is preferred for people to flush their toilet using the help of a shnui or in a non-standard way, like with one’s elbow, or even the side of the hand.

A toilet that has become blocked may be pumped using the standard plunger used in homes. It is however preferable for the plumber to do this using the help of a shinui like the hand that is weaker, or other similar methods. It is also preferable to have a non-Jewish person pump the toilet in the event that one is available. If neither option is available, then it is permissible to flush the toilet in a normal method. It is mostly due to the kavod Habriot, that it is allowed to flush a toilet clean during Shabbat. There is a belief that a bathroom that is completely blocked and inaccessible can be unpumped only by non-Jews

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