1) Text-based and location

The mishnah (Berachot 2:6) tells us that Rabban Gamliel bathed the first night after the death of his wife. His students said to him, “have you not taught us that the grieving is forbidden to bathe?”. He replied: “I'm not like the others; I'm delicate (istanís)”. That is to say: the physical anguish that will cause you not to bathe justifies a exception the ban's habitual suffering.

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2) The general framework: a duel and bathrooms

In the shiva (first seven days), the suffering has restrictions bathroom/toilet for pleasure. The Gemara discusses this episode and what fits within the laws of mourning (aveilut), stating when and how to govern these prohibitions.

3) Fundamentals talmudic the exception of Rabban Gamliel

The Gemara (Berachot 16b) puts on the agenda the two axes that explain the behavior of Rabban Gamliel:

• (a) Status of the first night: there are views that see the duel night that first night as source rabbinical, which makes it easier some flexibility.
• (b) Istanís (hypersensitive/delicate): when the physical pain/anguish by not bathing is objectively relevant, not required that suffering; the episode shows that the ban aims to placenterse, not aggravate the suffering.

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Notion related: in the Talmud appears the principle of giving weight of human dignity (kavod habriyot) in front of prohibitions rabbinical; although not cited explicitly in this mishnah, is the conceptual background used by the poskim in dealing with cases of tza'ar (distress) and need. (For the frame of mourning in general, see also Moed Katán)

4) Coding halachic classic

Shulchan Aruch, Yore Deah 381:1-3 systematizes as well (summary operating):

• During shiva, is forbidden to bathe the entire body, even with cold water; face, hands and feet: allowed with cold water (not hot). If the person is dirty (mud, feces, etc), can wash normally to remove the dirt. The Rema observed that these prohibitions governed only on shiva, and that there is a place to leniencias by necessity.

Key point: Of the mishnah and the encoding is that bathrooms pleasure are barred; basic hygiene or avoid physical suffering (as in a istanís) are different scenarios and support flexibilities.

5) Reading halachic of the case Rabban Gamliel

1. It is not a general dispensationbut a personal case based on tza'ar (distress) and in the condition of istanís. The Gemara brings as model criteria: if the bath prevents physical pain is real, not required that pain as part of the duel.
2. First night: on the basis of their status can be derrabánan, is reinforces the possibility of flexible. (Exposure and secondary sources to systematize this reasoning).

6) Scope and limits practical (psak)

a) What is prohibited by default during shiva

• Bathing the entire body (water hot and also cold, for pleasure).
• Anointing/ointments pleasant. (You are allowed to hygiene to remove dirt).

(b) What is allowed

• Face/hands/feet with cold water always.
• Remove dirt “as usual” (mud, excrement).
• Need/hygiene in climates of extreme heat or excessive sweating: several guides halájicas contemporary allow shower with cold water (and, if it is strictly necessary for hygiene minimum, warm), not for pleasure.

c) Istanís / tza'ar goal

• When not bathing implies physical anguish real (not mere discomfort or mild), is warranted be indulgent within the framework of hygiene, not pleasure. The case of Rabban Gamliel it is the paradigm.

7) technical Differences relevant

• Cold water vs. hot: the pleasure is associated with hot; for this reason, many sources allow to cool to hygiene even in periods restrictive (compared to Nine Days/Tishá BeAv shown the same criterion). In shiva, the line is more strict, but also is supports cold for hygiene and exceptions tza'ar.
• Bathroom a partial vs. total: partial (face/hands/feet), is more easy; total requires need/hygiene or tza'ar accredited.

8) scholarly Readings and semantics istanís

Recent studies explore istanís as profile of sensitivity/fragility body recognized by the halachah to adjust certain prohibitions rabbinical, if there is tza'ar real. In Berachot 2:6, istanís does not imply laxity, but to avoid a requirement disproportionate.

9) Conclusion operational

• Rule base (shiva): forbidden bathing the body pleasure; allowed the hygiene minimum (face/hands/feet with cold water; remove dirt).
• Exception (Berachot 2:6): if there is tza'ar real physical by not bathing —e.g., istanís—, it allows you to the bathroom to avoid distress, especially in the first night where opinions are more flexible. This is not generic licence, but case-by-need.
• Current practice: the poskim contemporary kept the prohibition of pleasure during shiva, but allow to cool showers or hygiene in the case of heat/sweat or tza'aravoiding hot water unless clinical need. Always consult with rabbinic authority local nuances of the community.