Water Activities During the Nine Days

Q. May I go swimming or canoeing during the Nine Days?

A. Since bathing and showering one’s entire body are prohibited during the Nine Days, the same restriction applies to swimming as well (Aruch HaShulchan OC 551:35). Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l prohibited canoeing during the Nine Days because the unstable canoe might overturn and one would fall into the water (Moadei Yeshurun p. 136:41 and p. 161:164). It has been mentioned in a previous Halacha Yomis that dangerous activities should be avoided during the entire period of the Three Weeks, it is apparent that Rav Moshe, zt”l did not consider canoeing a dangerous activity and therefore he allowed canoeing until the Nine Days. Rabbi Moshe Perlowitz, zt”l suggested that canoeing down roaring rapids is in fact dangerous and should be avoided the entire Three Weeks.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.