Is it OK to pray in front of a mirror?
Question
Is it permissible to pray in front of a mirror? Are there any restrictions or guidelines regarding this?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
It is forbidden to pray in front of a mirror. This is because doing so is disturbing and can ruin one’s concentration. (3) Another reason one should not pray in front of a mirror is because when one bows during prayer, it might appear as if one is bowing down to oneself. According to this approach it would be forbidden to pray in front of a mirror even if one’s eyes are closed.(3)
Related to the issue of praying in front of a mirror is praying in front of a window at night when one can see one’s image in the window. Le'halacha we are lenient with the praying in front of windows or any other reflection. This is because such reflections are generally very light and minimal and therefore not likely to disturb one’s concentration. So too, no onlooker would assume that one is intending to bow to oneself.
The issue of praying in front of a mirror (or reflection) only truly apply when reciting the Shemoneh Esrei. One may recite all other prayers in front of a mirror or reflection, if need be. On a related note, one should not pray in front of artwork, pictures, and other images, either.(4)
Although not widely known, the primary reason for covering the mirrors in a shiva house is due to the prohibition against praying in front of a mirror. Since the shiva house is essentially designated as a place of prayer for the duration of the shiva week, all mirrors are covered in case, due to space limitations and the like, someone might be positioned in front of a mirror during services. As such, there is no true requirement to cover the mirrors in the bathrooms of a shiva house.
Source
(1) Radbaz 4:1097; OC 90:23; Shulchan Aruch Harav, OC 90:22; Mishna Berura 90:70.
(2) Mishna Berura 90:63.
(3) Mishna Berura 90:71; Aruch Hashulchan, OC 90:28.
(4) Magen Avraham 90:37