Question:
If one is about to make Kiddush, everyone is seated at the table, and at that moment it becomes apparent that there is a small child present with a dirty diaper that has a noticeable odor—given the halachic issue of reciting a bracha in the presence of a foul smell—what is the proper course of action?
Is one required to stop and have the diaper changed before making Kiddush, even if this causes a significant interruption and inconvenience to those waiting? Or is there any halachic room for leniency that would allow Kiddush to be made first, with the diaper addressed afterward?
Answer:
Hello,
If there is a noticeable odor coming from the baby's diaper, the kiddush that is being said may be a bracha levatala, and you would have to say kiddush again. A practical course of action may be, to find some way for the child not to be in the vicinity of those hearing the kiddush. Such as having someone give him a toy or a snack in a different room, to keep him occupied for the two minutes it takes to say kiddush.
Sources:
משנה ברורה סימן עו ס"ק ג, "כנגדה - ואם מגיע לו ריח רע אסור ואפילו למ"ד בסימן ע"ט ס"ב דהפסקה מועלת לר"ר דוקא מחיצה שהוא רשות בפני עצמו אבל כפיית כלי לא ומ"מ א"צ בזה ד"א ממקום שכלה הריח אלא כ"ז שאין מגיע אליו סגי כ"כ הפמ"ג בסימן זה אבל בסימן ע"ט במ"ז נשאר בצ"ע ועיין בסימן ע"ט בבה"ל".
