עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is it Permissible to Swim in a Pool on Shabbat?
Question
Dear Rabbi:
Is it permissible to swim on Shabbat?
Thank you very much
Answer
Greetings,
It is not permissible to swim in a pool or in the sea on Shabbat.
Sources: See Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim (Section 318, Paragraph 2) and Mishna Berura (Note 27) that if the pool does not have a surrounding ledge, it is forbidden to swim in it on Shabbat because when the water is displaced and comes out of the pool, it is similar to a river. This falls under the prohibition of swimming on the water since one might create a vessel for swimming purposes. Refer to this.
Even when there is a ledge around the pool, one should avoid swimming in it on Shabbat, according to Mishna Berura (Section 326, Note 21), which states that it is the custom of Ashkenazim not to wash at all in a river or a mikvah, due to the likelihood of squeezing hair, among other reasons. See there. This is also cited in Responsa Bar Moshe, Part 3 (Section 56) and in Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata, Part 1 (Chapter 16, Paragraph 39) which states that it is forbidden to swim in the sea and in a pool on Shabbat. And see also Responsa Teshuvot V'Hanhagot, Part 1 (Section 208).
Additionally, even for Sephardim, it is forbidden as explained in Responsa Yaskil Avdi, Part 6 (Section 1). It is also mentioned in Yalkut Yosef (Section 341, Page 14) in the name of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l, that even for Sephardim it should be ruled practically not to wash in a pool on Shabbat. This is likewise found in Responsa Divrei Eliyahu, Part 7 (Section 19).Also see in the book Or Lezion, Part 2 (Chapter 47, Paragraph 32).
Even when there is a ledge around the pool, one should avoid swimming in it on Shabbat, according to Mishna Berura (Section 326, Note 21), which states that it is the custom of Ashkenazim not to wash at all in a river or a mikvah, due to the likelihood of squeezing hair, among other reasons. See there. This is also cited in Responsa Bar Moshe, Part 3 (Section 56) and in Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata, Part 1 (Chapter 16, Paragraph 39) which states that it is forbidden to swim in the sea and in a pool on Shabbat. And see also Responsa Teshuvot V'Hanhagot, Part 1 (Section 208).
Additionally, even for Sephardim, it is forbidden as explained in Responsa Yaskil Avdi, Part 6 (Section 1). It is also mentioned in Yalkut Yosef (Section 341, Page 14) in the name of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l, that even for Sephardim it should be ruled practically not to wash in a pool on Shabbat. This is likewise found in Responsa Divrei Eliyahu, Part 7 (Section 19).Also see in the book Or Lezion, Part 2 (Chapter 47, Paragraph 32).
Best regards,
Hillel Meirs
