Q & A - WITH RABBI RISKIN
Question: Is swimming permissible during the Nine
Days?
Answer:
The prohibition against bathing during the nine days [between Rosh
Chodesh Av and Tisha B'Av] refers to bathing which is for pleasure, as the
Romans did in their famous bath houses. Showering for the purposes of
removing dirt from the body is permitted.
The European rabbis used to retreat to "healing" spa cities such as
Marienbad, and bathe in the healing streams there also during the nine days.
I heard from Rav Soloveitchik that his grandfather, Rav Chaim, even used to
bathe in the healing waters during "shavua she'chal bo" [the week during
which Tisha B'av falls].
Therefore, anyone who swims for reasons of health is permitted to continue
doing so during the nine days. Swimming lessons are also permitted.
