The Nine Days - Shoe Shining

QUESTION: During the nine days we do not wash clothing. What about polishing and shining shoes?

ANSWER: Rav Sternbuch (Mo’adim U’zmanim 5:338) writes that not only may one not shine their shoes during the nine days, but even if one’s shoes were shined before the nine days to the point that they look brand new, it is not proper to wear them during the nine days. He infers this from the Magen Avrohom (551:22) who writes that one may not wear new shoes during the nine days, as well as from the Beiur HaGra who writes that fixing one’s shoes during the nine days is forbidden like washing clothing during the nine days. Clearly, shoes are like clothing and have the same restrictions. Rivevos Efrayim (1:375) writes that Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l disagreed. According to Rav Moshe Feinstein, one may blacken their shoes during the nine days so long as he does not shine them, and in honor of Shabbos, one may even shine their shoes.

___________________________________________________

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.