Is It Permissible to Go on Vacation or Swim in a Pool During the Between the Straits Period?
Question
Is there an issue with going on vacation or swimming in a pool during the Between the Straits period? Thank you very much
Answer
Hello,
1. According to the law, it is permitted to go on vacation during the Between the Straits. Nevertheless, if possible, it is advisable to schedule the vacation before the 17th of Tammuz, or at least before the beginning of the month of Av, when feasible (see what is brought in the book "Nechamat Yisrael" chapter 8, section 3).
2. According to the custom of the Sephardim, it is permitted to go to a pool or to the sea during the Between the Straits, even during the week of Tisha B'Av, while according to the custom of the Ashkenazim, it is permitted only until the beginning of the month of Av.
For all customs, extra caution is required not to swim in places where there is danger during all the days of Between the Straits, as these days are unfortunately susceptible to undesirable occurrences.
Sources: The custom of the Sephardim allows bathing in cold water during the Nine Days and even during the week of Tisha B'Av, therefore, they are permitted to enter a pool or the sea during these days, as explained in "Yabia Omer" part 5 (Orach Chaim, end of section 41) and in "Yichaveh Da'at" part 1 (section 30) and in "Chazon Ovadiah: Four Fasts" (page 274).
And the custom of the Ashkenazim is not to bathe even in cold water from the beginning of the month of Av onwards, as written by the Rema in Orach Chaim (section 559, section 16), therefore, they should not enter a pool or the sea during the Nine Days.
Nevertheless, extra caution is required not to swim in places where there is danger throughout all the days of Between the Straits, as the "Chavas Ya'ir" zt"l wrote in his book "Makar Chaim" (section 559, section 14) that he saw people abstaining from swimming in rivers during all three weeks due to danger, as the time is prone to evil. Also see in the book "Arachot Rabbeinu" part 2 (page 169). And refer to "Teshuvot Vehanhagot" part 2 (section 263) which states that one should not boat deep in the sea near a person's height during the days of Between the Straits, for these days are unfortunately susceptible to danger. Blessed be He.
Best regards,
Hillel Meiris
