This may be an odd question, but I read a lot of books on Jewish History by secular authors. There is a well known volume on Shabtai Tzvi (Y”S) and the history, etc of the debacle. It was written by Gershom Sholem of Hebrew U. There are references to Kabbalistic concepts, etc. May I read this book in the restroom seeing as it’s about a rasha and I’m not sure if the author was frum? Thank you.
Answer:
It would not be appropriate to read the Torah (kabbalistic) parts of this work in the bathroom – although Shalom was not frum, the sources he uses are regular Torah sources, and even if the book has no Kedushah it is not appropriate for “bathroom material.”
A regular historical work about Shabbetai Zvi can be read in the bathroom, but not a discussion of the Torah elements of his movement.
Best wishes.
