Fast Days: Difference between revisions

# It is permissible to wash with hot water or anoint oneself on a fast day. However, there is a righteous practice to be strict not to wash oneself in hot water or anoint oneself on a fast day. <Ref> Shulchan Aruch 550:2 writes that on all fast days other than Tisha B'av and Yom Kippur, one is permitted to wash, anoint, wear leather, and have marital relations. However, Mishna Brurah 550:6, Shaar HaTziyun 550:8, Kaf Hachayim 550:13 write based on earlier acharonim that a baal nefesh should be strict not to wash with hot water. Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 530 permits washing one's body with hot water, but adds that one who is strict is praiseworthy. see however Chazon Ovadia Arba Taaniyot pg. 21-22 who writes that one need not be strict for this since Shulchan Aruch is lenient. </ref> However, all agree that it’s permitted to wash with cold water or wash one’s hands, feet, and face with hot water.<ref> Chazon Ovadia Arba Taaniyot pg. 22, Shaar Hatziyun 550:8</ref>  

## If [[Asara B'Tevet]] falls out on Friday, one shouldn’t be strict. Rather, one should wash oneself in hot water because of Kavod [[Shabbat]].<Ref>Mishna Brurah 550:6, Aruch Hashulchan 550:3 also says that technically it is permitted to use hot water, but the custom has developed not to except on erev [[shabbat]], but it is still permissible to use hot water. </ref>