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4. Bathing/Showering with cold water:

A. The law and custom:

The letter of the law:[1] Being that hot water [from the] springs of Tiberius are permitted for one to even dip his entire body inside of, as the decree was only made against water heated through fire [as explained in above Halacha], it thus goes without saying that [this allowance applies with] cold water. It is permitted to do so even if the cold water is within a vessel.[2]]         

The custom today:[3] Due to that not everyone knows to beware in all[4] the below mentioned matters, therefore the custom spread in these provinces to not bathe at all on Shabbos, not even with cold water even though there is no prohibition involved from the letter of the law [in doing so]. [This prohibition applies even against bathing in an enclosed area, such as inside a house and the like, and is not limited only to a river.[5] This applies even against showering[6], although in a time of need one may be lenient to shower as explained in the Q&A below. This custom has been around for many generations dating back hundreds of years, and one who comes to break the decree of the Rishonim on him it says “Yashchenu Nachash”, as we have accepted this custom as a complete prohibition not to bathe in rivers, lakes and ponds at all on Shabbos.[7]]

 

B. Halachic matters which need to be followed when bathing in a river:[8]

Must fully dry oneself upon leaving:[9] One who bathes in a river [on Shabbos] needs to dry his body well when he comes up from the river so that no water remains on him and have him carry it 4 cubits in a karmelis as explained in chapter 301 [Halacha 61]. [He may not walk at all with the water on him, even less than four cubits.[10] Thus one is to prepare a towel, or place his clothing, near the shoreline and dry himself there prior to walking.[11] See Q&A regarding if one may walk 4 cubits with water still in his beard! See Halacha 7 regarding if one is allowed to dry one’s beard on Shabbos using a cloth!]

Not to swim and not to splash items away: As well one may not swim in the river and may not cause any item to swim [flow], such as twigs which are floating on the water is forbidden for him to splash away in order to clear up the water [for him] as will be explained in chapter 339. [As will be explained in 2E]

Not to squeeze one’s hair: As well every bather needs to beware not to squeeze his hair. [As will be explained in more detail in Halacha 7-See There!]

The Reason: Now, although there is the prohibition of squeezing is not applicable with hair, being that hair is hard and does not actually absorb water inside it [and rather the water is absorbed between each individual hair], nevertheless it is Rabbinically forbidden [to squeeze it].

Bathing/Showering in cold water: The Sages did not decree against bathing in cold water on Shabbos and it is thus permitted to do so from the letter of the law.[12] Nevertheless, the custom in the Ashkenazi provinces is to avoid doing so being that there are many bathing restriction involved which people are not aware of.[13] [This custom has been around for many generations dating back hundreds of years, and one who comes to break the decree of the Rishonim on him it says “Yashchenu Nachash”, as we have accepted this custom as a complete prohibition not to bathe in rivers, lakes and ponds at all on Shabbos.[14] This prohibition applies even against bathing in an enclosed area, such as inside a house and the like, and is not limited only to a river.[15] This applies even against showering[16], although in a time of need one may be lenient to shower as explained in the Q&A below.]   The bathing restrictions: 1. To dry oneself so no water is carried outside [in a place without an Eiruv]. 2. Not to swim in the water. 3. Not to splash away debris. 4. Not to squeeze one’s hair.[17] Regarding details of this restriction-See Halacha 5 Q&A there!

 

Q&A on bathing in cold water May one take a cold shower on a very hot day?[18] If one is bothered by the heat or the perspiration, then he is allowed to shower in cold water [or warm water that was heated before Shabbos[19]].[20] Hot water: To shower in hot water heated from before Shabbos is only allowed if one is in pain, as will be explained in Halacha 3 Q&A there. As well as one must take care not to transgress the cooking prohibition through turning on the hot water tab, as explained in “The Laws of Cooking” Halacha 9 Q&A there.   May one enter into a pool or river to cool off on a very hot day? Some Poskim[21] imply that one may enter into a swimming pool if he is very hot, although he may not swim.[22] Other Poskim[23], however, rule that one may never enter a pool or river on a hot day, and the allowance is only to allow taking a shower on a hot day.   According to today’s custom may one nevertheless bathe part of his body in cold water? Yes.[24] Areas which contain hair: Regarding washing the areas of hair which contain the squeezing prohibition [See Halacha 7 Q&A there] some Poskim[25] rule that that one should only be lenient to do so in case of discomfort or pain. Others[26] rule one may wash his head and beard even initially. According to all one may always wash his face despite the fact that water will inevitably get in his beard and be squeezed, as the Sages did not uphold their decree in such a case.[27] According to today’s custom may one nevertheless immerse in a Mikveh on Shabbos?[28] Yes, as will be explained in Halacha 5-See there! May one who has just awoken from sleep pour cold water on his head to awaken him?[29] If not doing so gives one pain then it is allowed [see Halacha 3] being that in any event from the letter of the law it is permitted.

 

Q&A on carrying water Four Amos If one entered a river or sea on Shabbos [such as for Tevila] may he walk to shore with the drops of water on him and then dry himself on the shore, or must he dry himself as soon as he lifts his body above water?[30] Some Poskim[31] rule one may not carry the water that is on him even while he is still prior to reaching shore.[32]  Other Poskim[33], however, rule that so long as one’s feet are in the water he may walk with his body carrying the water.[34] Practically, one is to shake the water from his body upon him lifting it out of the water, and stop every four Amos before continuing to walk.[35] May one walk four cubits in a public domain if there are still drops of water in one’s beard?[36] Yes.[37]

 

C. Washing one’s hands in a river:[38]

It is permitted to stand on the bed of the river and wash one’s hands in its water. There is no prohibition involved in the removal of the water which is on his hands from the river onto the bed being that the river is a Karmalis and the bed of the river is likewise a Karmalis and it is permitted to remove [items] from one Karmalis to another Karmalis within the distance of four handbreadths. However, one must beware to dry his hands well immediately after removing them from the river prior to walking four cubits. [Seemingly doing so is allowed even according to the custom stated above.[39]]

Summary-Washing hands in a river: Despite the custom to avoid bathing in even cold water it is permitted to wash one’s hands at the bed of a river and dry them prior to walking four cubits.

D. Walking outside while it is raining:[40]

One who is walking through a public area and rain falls on him and on his clothes, the Sages[41] were not stringent on [his walking of four cubits with the drops of water on him]. [This applies even if he has a large amount of rainwater on him.[42]]

The reason for this is:[43] because this is a matter which is impossible to avoid, as at times a person is walking in a public area [with clear skies] and it suddenly begins to rain on him.

To initially walk outside when it is already raining:[44] Therefore the Sages permitted [him to walk with the rainwater on him] in all cases (and he may walk outside even in a case that he sees that it is already raining outside, as we do not prohibit matters partially.) [See Q&A regarding snowing!]

Summary: It is allowed to walk in the rain, and one may even initially go outside when it is raining despite the fact that he will inevitably carry the water that is pouring onto him. Q&A May one walk outside while it is snowing even though he will inevitably carry the snow?[45] Yes.[46]

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[1] 326:1; Michaber 326:1; Shabbos 40a

[2] Setimas Hapoksim that only prohibit the hot springs that are within a vessel and not cold water; Implication of M”A 326:8

Other opinion: Some Poskim rule it is forbidden to bathe in cold water that is in a vessel. [Mordechai, brought in M”A ibid]

[3] 326:6; M”A 326:8; Bach; Maharil 139; Terumos Hadeshen 255; Beis Yosef Y.D. 199; M”B 326:21

Other opinions and Sephardic custom: Some Poskim rule that today the custom has spread to allow bathing in cold water. [Olas Shabbos 326:16] Accordingly, some Sephardi Poskim rule it is permitted to bathe in cold water. [Or Letziyon 2:35-2; Implication of Rav Poalim 4:12 and Y.D. 15 regarding a shower, however, see Yaskil Avdi 6:1 who is stringent] Practically, each community is to follow his custom. [Kaf Hachaim 326:25 and 31] This custom is omitted by the Michaber and Rama, although is mentioned by the Beis Yosef ibid

[4] From this wording it is implied that only when all these suspicions are applicable are we accustomed to avoid bathing, however from the concluding wording of Admur “therefore the custom spread in these provinces to not bathe at all on Shabbos, not even with cold water” it is implied that the custom spread to all items. Perhaps this is because the main worry which brought about this custom is that one may come to squeeze the hair, and so writes Beis Yosef and M”B ibid; However see Ketzos Hashulchan 133 footnote 8 that the decree only applies when all the suspicions are applicable.

[5] Implication of Admur ibid “therefore the custom spread in these provinces to not bathe at all on Shabbos, not even with cold water”; M”A ibid in name of Maharil, Mordechai and Beis Yosef which states that even a Mikveh is not used for this reason, and a Mikveh is usally in an enclosed area; M”B 326:7 “In a river or Mikveh due to squeezing of hair”; Minchas Yitzchak 6:32; See Shabbos Kehalacha 18 Biurim 7; See previous footnote that the main suspicion is the squeezing of the hair which is applicable in all cases.

Other opinions: Some Poskim write that the custom to avoid bathing in cold water does not apply to an enclosed area, as only one of the worries are applicable, nevertheless he concludes that one may not be lenient unless he is doing so for the sake of a Mitzvah [Tevila] or if one is in great pain. [Ketzos Hashulchan 133 footnote 8; See there that he brings the Beis Yosef as a proof for his statement unlike the M”A ibid who brings the Beis Yosef]

[6] Conclusion of all Poskim mentioned in Q&A that only permit doing so in a case of a very hot day; Mishneh Sachir 69; Poskim in Piskeiy Teshuvos 326 footnote 112; See Igros Moshe 4:74 and 75 that the Poskim do not discuss this issue and one can infer from Admur and Michaber 326:4 that showering is allowed and seemingly the custom in previous times was to allow showering, however in today’s times the custom has become to prohibit even showering on Shabbos; See Shabbos Kehalacha 18 footnote 91

[7] Aruch Hashulchan 326:9

[8] 326:6; M”A 326:8 in name of Maharil 150

[9] Admur ibid; 301:61; Michaber 326:7; Rav Yehuda 141a

[10] M”B 326:22; However see Admur  301:61 and 326:6 who implies that it is permitted to be done, so long as he does not carry it four Amos

The reason: Although we rule [in 349:1] that one may carry within his four Amos, nonetheless here we suspect that one may come to carry the water that is on him even more than four Amos, and hence we require him to dry himself right away. [M”B ibid]

[11] M”B 326:22

[12] Admur 326:1 and 6; Michaber 326:1; Shabbos 40a

Water in a vessel: It is permitted to do so even if the cold water is within a vessel. [Setimas Haposkim that only prohibit the hot springs that are within a vessel and not cold water; Implication of M”A 326:8]

Other opinion: Some Poskim rule it is forbidden to bathe in cold water that is in a vessel. [Mordechai, brought in M”A ibid]

[13] Admur 326:6; M”A 326:8; Bach; Maharil 139; Terumos Hadeshen 255; Beis Yosef Y.D. 199; M”B 326:21

Other opinions and Sephardic custom: Some Poskim rule that today the custom has spread to allow bathing in cold water. [Olas Shabbos 326:16] Accordingly, some Sephardi Poskim rule it is permitted to bathe in cold water. [Or Letziyon 2:35-2; Implication of Rav Poalim 4:12 and Y.D. 15 regarding a shower, however, see Yaskil Avdi 6:1 who is stringent] Practically, each community is to follow his custom. [Kaf Hachaim 326:25 and 31] This custom is omitted by the Michaber and Rama, although is mentioned by the Beis Yosef ibid

When does the custom apply? Admur ibid writes “Due to that not everyone knows to beware in all the below mentioned matters, therefore the custom spread in these provinces to not bathe at all on Shabbos.” From this wording it is implied that only when all these suspicions are applicable are we accustomed to avoid bathing, however from the concluding wording of Admur “therefore the custom spread in these provinces to not bathe at all on Shabbos, not even with cold water” it is implied that the custom spread to all items. Perhaps this is because the main worry which brought about this custom is that one may come to squeeze the hair, and so writes Beis Yosef and M”B ibid; However see Ketzos Hashulchan 133 footnote 8 that the decree only applies when all the suspicions are applicable.

[14] Aruch Hashulchan 326:9

[15] Implication of Admur ibid “therefore the custom spread in these provinces to not bathe at all on Shabbos, not even with cold water”; M”A ibid in name of Maharil, Mordechai and Beis Yosef which states that even a Mikveh is not used for this reason, and a Mikveh is usually in an enclosed area; M”B 326:7 “In a river or Mikveh due to squeezing of hair”; Minchas Yitzchak 6:32; See Shabbos Kehalacha 18 Biurim 7; See previous footnote that the main suspicion is the squeezing of the hair which is applicable in all cases.

Other opinions: Some Poskim write that the custom to avoid bathing in cold water does not apply to an enclosed area, as only one of the worries are applicable, nevertheless he concludes that one may not be lenient unless he is doing so for the sake of a Mitzvah [Tevila] or if one is in great pain. [Ketzos Hashulchan 133 footnote 8; See there that he brings the Beis Yosef as a proof for his statement unlike the M”A ibid who brings the Beis Yosef]

[16] Conclusion of all Poskim mentioned in Q&A that only permit doing so in a case of a very hot day; Mishneh Sachir 69; Poskim in Piskeiy Teshuvos 326 footnote 112; See Igros Moshe 4:74 and 75 that the Poskim do not discuss this issue and one can infer from Admur and Michaber 326:4 that showering is allowed and seemingly the custom in previous times was to allow showering, however in today’s times the custom has become to prohibit even showering on Shabbos; See Shabbos Kehalacha 18 footnote 91

^[17] 326:6

[18] Ketzos Hashulchan 133 footnote 8 [towards end]; Igros Moshe 4:74; Beir Moshe 6:73; Dvar Yehoshua 2:54; Az Nidbaru 1:61; SSH”K 14:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 326:8; Shabbos Kehalacha 18:40; Minchas Yitzchak 6:32 implies that one may not bathe in cold water even to cool off, and may only do so for the sake of a Mitzvah, such as to use a Mikveh, however he then concludes by bringing the Ketzos Hashulchan ibid which is lenient.

[19] As explained above in Halacha 1 that warm water has the same status as cold water. See above Halacha 1 Q&A there regarding the definition of warm water.

[20] The reason: Being that in any event from the letter of the law it is allowed, and it is only a custom to be stringent, and in a case of pain this stringency need not be kept. [Poskim ibid] 

[21] Ketzos Hashulchan 133 footnote 8 and 146 footnote 34:16; See below “Swimming on Shabbos”

[22] Being that in any event from the letter of the law it is allowed, and it is only a custom to be stringent, and in a case of pain this stringency need not be kept. [Ketzos Hashulchan 133 footnote 8] 

[23] Implication of Igros Moshe 4:75; Piskeiy Teshuvos 326:8 which prohibits entering a pool even on a hot day.

[24] The Ketzos Hashulchan [133:4] adds into the quote of the Halacha of Admur that the custom pertains to bathing one’s entire body in cold water, thus implying that minority of one’s body is allowed to be bathed even according to the custom.

[25] Ketzos Hashulchan 133 footnote 8 [end] regarding pouring water over head; SSH”K; See Ashel Avraham 320:17; Avnei Nezer 157:14

[26] SSH”K 14 footnote 1 in name of Rav SZ”A; Igros Moshe 1:133; Piskeiy Teshuvos 326:11; See Shabbos Kehalacha 18 footnote 68 and Biurim 10

[27] Ketzos Hashulchan 133 footnote 8

[28] Ketzos Hashulchan 133 footnote 8

[29] Ketzos Hashulchan 133 footnote 8

[30] See Piskeiy teshuvos 326:7; Shabbos Kehalacha 18 Biurim 9

[31] Peri Megadim 326 M”Z 2; M”B 326:22; Kitzur SHU”A 86:4; Ketzos Hashulchan 133 footnote 7; Kaf Hachaim 326:26; Rishonim brought in Tehila Ledavid 326:12 and Shabbos Kehalacha ibid

[32] Thus, one is to not distance himself more than 4 Amos from the shoreline where his towel iis found. [M”B ibid] Alternatively, either go [without swimming] all the way to the shore having his body remain mainly underwater, or is to prepare a towel for himself on a rock or the like which is near the shoreline and dry himself there and then walk to the shore. [M”B ibid]

[33] Setimas Haposkim of Shulchan Aruch; See leniencies mentioned in Daas Torah 326:7; Tehila Ledavid 326:12; Eretz Tzevi 1:72; Tzur Yaakov 1:172; Or Meir 54; Rishonim brought in Tehila Ledavid 326:12 and Shabbos Kehalacha ibid; Shabbos Kehalacha ibid concludes like the lenient opinion after brining many

[34] The reason: As so long as one’s feet is in the water it is considered as if all the water is in the river, as rules the Mishneh in Mikvaos 7:7; Michaber 201. [Daas Torah ibid; Tehila Ledavid ibid]

[35] Tehila Ledavid ibid; Piskeiy teshuvos ibid; Shabbos Kehalacha ibid; See M”B 349: that the Taz and Elya Raba rule one may even initially carry in a Karmalis through stopping every four Amos in a

[36] P”M 326 M”Z 2; Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:178; 4:90; Eretz Tzevi 1:73; Har Tzevi 1:197; Kinyan Torah 4:32; Bris Olam Rechitza 18; Az Nidbaru 2:43; Divrei Moshe 1:16; Beir Moshe, Divrei Malkiel, Piskeiy Teshuvos 301:22 [66 in new]

Other opinions: Some were careful to dry the beard prior to walking 4 cubits [or leaving the Mikveh to a public domain which does not have an Eiruv]. [Steipler brought in Teshuvos Vehanhagos ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 465]

[37] The reason: It is allowed being the water does not contain Shiur Hotzaah, and is likewise not the common way of carrying and hence the Sages did not decree against it even in a Reshus Harabaim. [P”M ibid] Likewise, the drops of water being that the drops are nullified to ones beard, as is the law regarding water absorbed in a cloth.

[38] 301:61; Michaber 301:49; Tashbatz 34; Rabbeinu Yerucham 17

[39] So is implied from Ketzos Hashulchan 133:4

[40] 301:61; Michaber 326:7; Rosh Shabbos 20:13

[41] There is no Biblical prohibition involved in carrying the water as it is less than Shiur Hotzaah, and is likewise not the common way of carrying. [Beis Yosef, brought in Taz 326:2; P”M 326 M”Z 2; M”B 326:23]

[42] M”B 326:23 in name of Gr”a

[43] Admur ibid; Taz 326:2

[44] Admur ibid

[45] Piskeiy Teshuvos 326:3

[46] So rules SSH”K 15 footnote 123