Swimming on Rosh Chodesh Av | Sheilot

Swimming on Rosh Chodesh Av

Question

Greetings and blessings! Is it permitted to go swimming today on Rosh Chodesh [the first day of the month of Av]? Thank you in advance.

Answer

Many greetings and a good month to you!
According to Ashkenazi custom, it is forbidden even to bathe for pleasure from the eve of Rosh Chodesh Av, and certainly, this would include swimming. Even according to Sephardic custom, which allows bathing until the week in which Tisha B'Av falls, there are mourning practices during this time, and it is not appropriate to indulge in pleasures.

Answered 19 July 2023 How answers are reviewed
Rabbi Israel Cohen
Answered by
Answers questions at Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Smicha "Yoreh-Yoreh" (2012), Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah
About the Rabbi

Source

Shulchan Aruch, section Orach Chaim, Chapter 551

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