The Schvitzy Nine Days

Maybe the most talked about halacha of the nine days is bathing and showering. As is well known the Rema writes that the "custom" [that is a very important word] is to refrain from bathing one's whole body even in cold water during the nine days. Apparently, the Rema is following his opinion in the laws of mourning [יו"ד שפ"א] where he writes that it is forbidden for a mourner to wash his body for thirty days and the laws of the nine days parallel the laws of a mourner in his first thirty days. It is noteworthy that the Shach there argues and maintains that a mourner may bathe his entire body in cold water during the shloshim [see the Aruch Hashulchan שפ"א].  According to this Shach it would be permitted during the nine days to bathe one's whole body in cold water [especially given the fact that אבלות ישנה - mourning over something that happened long ago, is subject to more leniencies than אבילות חדשה -  mourning over a recent event].

The Rema's opinion is also difficult because he is based upon the Trumas Ha-deshen who writes that that he has seen some who have a custom is to avoid washing in a river and one who is stringent should be blessed. That is usually done for pleasure while washing for cleanliness should be fine. In fact, numerous poskim have ruled that in our times where people are very sensitive to matters of hygiene it is permitted to shower in cold water during the nine days. There are other poskim who insist that even in our times there are no excuses and everyone must refrain from washing even in cold water. See Tshuvos Vi-hanhagos Vol. 4 page 120 and Chacham Ovadia Shlita in his sefer Chazon Ovadia ד' תעניות עמ' רלח who as always effectively and comprehensively covers the topic. For those who prefer English, see here. For those who prefer French - you can move to Bayit Ve-gan to Rechov HaRav Uziel where many Frenchman have moved. For Spanish - 186th and Overlook Terrace or Bennent Ave. is good.

Better Bayit Ve-gan.

:-)