Spanking in the 3 Weeks
Question
It is written in shulchan aruch that children should not be potched on בין המצרים. My question is if this refers also to a spanking with the parents hand on the childs behind like mothers do sometimes, mostly mildly but sometimes a bit harder, is that also considered as a סכנה in those days ?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
We are told in Shulchan Aruch (OC 551:18) not to hit children at all during the Three weeks.
Although some sources indicate the ban is a) only hitting with an instrument but it is permitted to hit with one's hands, b) does not apply if the room one is in has a mezuza, b) does not apply to outer, strong parts of the body (like the hand) c) only applies between about 9 am - 4 pm
Nevertheless, Le'halcha we say one should refrain from hitting one's child in any form during the 3 weeks.
Source
OC 551:18; Aishel Avraham, Peri Megadim, Levush