Question:
Is one allowed to dance or do any external activities that might bring to some joy even if its sole intention is not for that?
Answer:
With regarding to dancing the following is stated: Dancing is forbidden during the three weeks even not in the context of a joyous occasion. The Magen Avraham 551:10 says explicitly that it is forbidden to dance during the three weeks even if not in the context of a joyous occasion such as an engagement. The Eliya Rabba 551:6, Pri Megadim E”A 551:10, Baer Hetiev 551:11, Mishna Brurah 551:16, Ben Ish Chai (Shana Rishona, Devarim no. 5), Simchat Cohen 162, and Lehorot Natan 10:49 all concur that dancing is forbidden during the three weeks.
Some poskim are lenient to permit dancing at a sheva Brachos during the three weeks for someone who got married before the three weeks. Other poskim forbid it and even recommend not having a sheva Brachos meal.
Many hold that it is permissible to swim during the three weeks except in dangerous waters until the nine days (from Rosh Chodesh Av). Sh”t Teshuvot VeHanhagot 2:263, Piskei Teshuvot 551:46 Rabbi Ayreh Lebowitz, Moadei Yeshurun (pg 128) quoting Rav Moshe, Halichot Shlomo (Moadim, vol 2, chap 14, note 7), MeBayit Levi (vol 13, pg 22, note 5) quoting Rav Wosner, Sh”t Rivevot Ephraim 3:333, 4:135:14, 6:285:2, and Shevet HaKehati 1:169:4. Rabbi Eider quotes Rav Moshe Iggerot Moshe Even Haezer 4:84 who says even during the nine days if one is sweating or dirty and wants to wash off it’s permissible to dip in the pool for a short time. Shaarim mitzuyanim bihalacha kuntres acharon 122:12 is lenient with children swimming in private area during the nine days, but not in public, like camps. It is brought that sephardim are permitted to swim throughout the three weeks, nine days, and week of Tisha BeAv but ashkenazim who follow the Rama should not. Rabbi Eli Mansour says the syrian minhag is not to swim during the week in which Tisha BeAv falls out.
Bathing and Showering
Some stop bathing and showering for the week of Tisha BeAv and some start already from the nine days. Rambam Hilchot Taaniot 5:6 says from the week of and the Mordechai Taanit 639 says from Rosh Chodesh Av. Both opinions are quoted in Shulchan Aruch 551:16. Kaf Hachayim 551:186 says to follow whatever the custom of the place where you are living. It is brought that the sephardic custom is that one is permitted to shower in cold water throughout and only has to stop using hot water for the week of Tisha BeAv. For Shabbos Chazon, some poskim permit washing the whole body with hot water, Some poskim permit washing or showering to remove dirt or sweat.
Men who have the custom to use the mikveh daily can continue to use a cold mikveh during the week of Tisha BeAv even according to the custom that people wouldn’t swim or shower.
It’s forbidden to listen to music from musical instruments during the three weeks. Sh”t Kapei Aharon 52 writes that it’s clearly forbidden to listen to music during the three weeks. Sh”t Igrot Moshe 1:166 and Sh”t Yechave Daat 6:34 agree. Nitei Gavriel 15:1 writes that this law is missing from S”A and early poskim because there’s a general prohibition of Listening to Music and so there was no question about the three weeks. [There is a hint to the prohibition in the Pri Megadim and Maharam Shik who discuss playing music for an income during the three weeks.] However, because many are lenient like the Rama (unlike S”A and Bach) and are lenient regarding music all year, this question became relevant and it’s unanimously accepted by contemporary poskim that music is forbidden during the three weeks because it brings with it simcha just like dancing (explicitly forbidden by Magen Avraham
Many authorities forbid listening to recorded music (music with instruments) during the three weeks. If one is driving and is scared of falling asleep, he may listen to music. Programs or other occasions where the musical accompaniment is incidental to the main event may be attended or viewed. Rav Moshe Feinstein quoted in Ohalei Yeshurun page 128. Rav Mordachai Eliyahu (Mikraei Kodesh 7: note 14) was asked about listening to news which begins with a small tune, or waiting on hold with a tune in the background and he responded leniently. He added though that those who refrain even from listening to this shall be blessed.
Live a cappella (singing without instruments)
Some say that one may listen to vocal music (voices singing) during the three weeks but not the 9 days. Many say that it is permissible to sing with one’s mouth during the three weeks. |