Washing Face, Hands, and Feet with Soap During Mourning
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Question
Is it permitted to wash one's face, hands, and feet with soap during the days of mourning?
Answer
It is forbidden to wash one's face, hands, and feet with soap because soap is considered as anointing, which is prohibited even in small amounts. However, for removing dirt, it is permitted to wash with soap.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, Siman 381, Se'if 2: "What is the rule regarding anointing? It is forbidden to anoint even in small amounts if it is for pleasure, but if it is to remove dirt, it is permitted; and certainly for healing, such as if one has sores on his head."
In Tosafot Yeshanim, Tractate Yoma, page 76, column 2: "Rabbeinu Yaakov says that the prohibition of anointing with milk and fat does not apply even rabbinically, as we do not find that anointing is considered drinking, except regarding Yom Kippur." And similarly, it is written in Tosafot in Niddah, that anointing is only considered with oil, but with other substances, it is not considered anointing, and therefore it is permitted to anoint with forbidden milk.
However, in the commentary of the Gra in Orach Chaim, Siman 306, Se'if 10, it is written that it is forbidden to anoint with forbidden milk as it is considered anointing. And similarly, it is written in Biur Halacha there. And see in Mishnah Berurah, Siman 554, Se'if Katan 28, that even soap is considered anointing.
There are those who disagree and hold that soap is not considered anointing because after applying it, it is washed off, unlike anointing which is applied to be absorbed into the body.
But to remove dirt, it is permitted, as written in Shulchan Aruch, Siman 381, Se'if 2.