What are the parameters for taking a shower during the 9-day period between Rosh Chodesh Av and Tisha Bav? Namely:
- When is one allowed to?
- When doing so what water temperature should it be set on?
- Can one use soap or shampoo?
Answer
According to R' Moshe Soloveichik, during the 9 days the level of mourning is as during the Shloshim mourning period.
In the time of the Shulchan Aruch part of the mourning process during the Shloshim was not to bathe. As such, The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 551:16) records a custom practiced by Ashkenazim of not bathing or showering during the Nine Days.
However, nowadays the custom is to shower immediately after Shiva (and not to wait for the Shloshim to end). Therefore these days one may bathe during the 9 days.
This would seem to indicate that there are no restrictions to the bathing.
On the other hand, many are a much more strict. Some differentiate between bathing for pleasure and bathing for necessity (Kavod Habriyot). They say that while we may bathe, we should minimize our frequency, length and comfort.
Erev Shabbos Chazon (Shabbos before Tisha B'av) Shulchan Aruch says you can bathe with warm water, because it is a Mitzvah.
Sefardim only follow the mourning period during the week of Tisha B'av.
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