Need to Pass Gas During Prayer
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Question
Hello, A person comes to prayer on Shabbat and feels a recurring need to pass gas. How should he act? Should he try to hold it in (even though it happens several times during the prayer and it might not be healthy)? Should he try to leave? If he doesn't leave, should he understand that he must pray alone?
Answer
Hello
There is no medical or halachic issue with holding back from passing gas.
Of course, one should try to restrain oneself out of respect for the prayer.
If there is a way to prevent it, one should do so.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 103, Se'if 2
If he wishes to release wind from below and he is greatly distressed and cannot hold himself, etc.
Mishna Berura, Siman 103, Se'if Katan 3
(3) And cannot - for otherwise, one should not release wind in any manner during prayer, and we are not concerned with "do not defile yourselves" except when holding oneself from urinating or defecating, but not from passing gas. And it seems to me that in any case, one should move the tefillin and remove them so that they are not in place, as it is forbidden to pass gas with tefillin: