Q. Can one use a Yale T-shirt that has the emblem of the university bearing the words Urim Vetuim written in Hebrew stamped on the front, when you entering a bathroom?
A. On question 973 regarding a medallion with letters of psukim, we wrote: "Rabbenu Yerucham (Nesiv 2: 2), and Beis Yosef (Y.D. 283) quote T’shuvas Harambam in regards to medallions with verses from Tehilim worn by children for protection. He asserts that it constitutes a “zilzul” or irreverence to words of the Torah. See also Shulchan Aruch Y.D. (283: 4) regarding the prohibition to weave psukim on a ta’alis and Shach (ibid. 6) that the reason is the zilzul of the psukim of the Torah. (See also Tzitz Eliezer 16: 30)
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit'”a opinion is that in general one should avoid using psukim for the purpose of adornment or decoration, as it belittles the honor and respect due to the words of Hashem written in our Torah. He added that one cannot say that it is outright prohibited to wear the medallion shown in a bathroom, as the words and letters are not clearly or correctly written."
Poskim permit bringing into a bathroom a U.S. dollar bill that shows the words “In G-d we trust” without any cover (Betzel Hachuchma 6: 124, Oz Nedberu 2: 64, Ginzei Hakodesh 4: 5: f. 6, , Tzitz Eliezer 16: 31, Shevet Ha’Levi 6: 8, Teshuvos Vehanhugos 2: 466, Rivevos Ephraim 8: 158: 4 quoting the opinion of Horav Elyashiv zt"l, Halichos Shlomo Tefilla 20: n. 33).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that in our case there is no issue in entering the bathroom wearing this T shirt, as the words "Urim Vetumim" are not a posuk and are also not written properly in one single line in Yale's coat of arms.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
Important Numbers
