Bringing a Baby into a Pool on Shabbat and Yom Tov

Various customs practiced on shabbat

This question and answer were automatically translated using our trained AI and have not yet been reviewed by a qualified rabbi. Please treat this translation with caution.

Go to original →

Question

Hello, Regarding bringing a baby into a pool on Yom Tov/Shabbat: 1. Is it permissible to do so? To bring an Ashkenazi baby into the pool? 2. Is it allowed to remove the swimsuit from the baby while it is wet? Or is there a prohibition of squeezing? 3. Do the answers change between Yom Tov and Shabbat?

Answer

Hello

1. The custom among Ashkenazim is not to bathe on Shabbat and Yom Tov even in cold water due to several concerns, primarily the squeezing of hair. Except in cases of distress or great need.

2. In cases of great need, such as a very hot day when the baby is suffering, it is permitted to bathe him in the pool, but care must be taken to avoid squeezing. Therefore, the swimsuit should not be removed in a way that will certainly squeeze out water.

3. There is no difference regarding squeezing between Shabbat and Yom Tov.

Source

Mishna Berura, Siman 326, S"K 21
The poskim wrote that it is customary not to bathe at all in a river or mikvah as it is likely to lead to squeezing hair and for several other reasons, see MA etc. However, hands and feet may be washed in a river if dried before walking 4 amot [AR]:

Comments

Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)

Please sign up or log in to submit your comment

Become our patrners in supporting and spreading the Torah

Help us answer more questions faster and better

Join the mission