Swimming Lessons during the Nine Days

You are here:
< Back

Hi Rabbi Simon.
I wanted to ask you about signing up Zev for swimming classes during the 9 days.  There is a summer swim crash course for children happening from July 24th-28th, which happens to be right at the start of the 9 days.  I know there are prohibitions against swimming, but I wanted to check with you if I’m being too stringent about this.  Should I send Zev to this swimming course or is it not advisable/better not?
Thank you!
Lisa

Hi Lisa,
Since the restriction relating to water sports during the first part of the month of Av is for reasons of both danger as well as recreation, it is not recommended even for a young child. (For Sephardim it would be allowed, but this will not work for you—or for me.)
Rabbi Rashi Simon

Previous Music in 3 Weeks
Questions & Answers
this week

Questions and Answers

Ask the Rabbi: Quinoa on Pesach
Dear Rabbi Simon,
Where do you stand on quinoa (and the kitniyot ban) for Pesach?
Many thanks,
Tzippy
***
Dear Tzippy,
In line with other American authorities, I am in favour of quinoa. Although I reject completely the voices (mostly from Israel) seeking to abolish the ban on kitniyot entirely, IMO we do not need to include in the prohibition pseudo-grains that were unknown in the Old World until modern times. Best to buy with a Pesach hechsher though, to be free of any possible wheat contamination.
Rabbi Rashi Simon
Events / Calendar