Swimming During the Three Weeks

Greetings,

According to the Sephardic custom, it is permitted to go to the pool and the sea during the Three Weeks, even in the week of Tisha B'Av. According to the Ashkenazic custom, it is allowed only until Rosh Chodesh Av.

For all customs, extra caution is required not to swim in places where there is a danger throughout the entire Three Weeks, as these days can unfortunately be prone to undesirable occurrences.

Sources: The Sephardic custom permits bathing in cold water during the Nine Days and even in the week of Tisha B'Av, thus allowing entry to the pool or sea on those days, as explained in Responsa Yabi'a Omer, part 5 (Orchot Chaim, end of Siman 41) and in Responsa Yechave Da'at, part 1 (Siman 30), and in the book Hazon Ovadia, Four Fast Days (page 274).

The Ashkenazic custom is not to wash even in cold water from Rosh Chodesh Av and onward, as stated by the Rema in Orach Chaim (Siman 551, paragraph 16), and therefore they should not enter the pool or sea during the Nine Days.

Nevertheless, extra care is necessary not to swim in places of potential danger throughout the Three Weeks. The Chavas Yair, zt'l, has already written in his book Makor Chaim (Siman 551, paragraph 14) that he saw people refrain from bathing in rivers throughout the Three Weeks due to danger, as this period is prone to calamity. See also in the book Aruchot Rabbeinu, part 2 (page 129). Additionally, see in Responsa Teshuvot Vehanhagot, part 2 (Siman 268) which states that one should not swim in deep waters until reaching the height of a person during the days of Bein HaMetzarim, as these days can be a source of danger.

Blessings,

Hillel Meirs