Showering on Yom Tov: Difference between revisions

'''Heating up water on [[Yom Tov]]'''

<p class="indent">The Ran (Beitzah 11a) explains that Bet Hillel's opinion is based on the concept of Mitoch (since it’s permitted to cook for food on [[Yom Tov]], it’s also permitted to heat up water for bathing). This concept of mitoch is a subject of dispute between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai in an earlier Mishna. The Mishna (Beitzah 1:5) records a dispute where Bet Hillel permitted [[carrying]] a child, [[Lulav]], or sefer torah in a public domain on [[Yom Tov]], and Bet Shamai prohibited. The Gemara (Beitza 12a) explains that this dispute is based on the concept of Mitoch, Beit Hillel accept it, while Beit Shammai do not. Since we always hold like Bet Hillel (Eiruvin 6b), Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 518:1 rules that we hold like Beit Hillel that there is a concept of mitoch. Seemingly, then it should be permitted to heat up water for washing one's entire body based on the concept of mitoch. </p>

*'''Proofs that we're strict for both''': The Kaf HaChaim 511:13 quotes both opinions and doesn't rule definitively. The Shaar HaTziyun details a practical difference between the Rambam and Tosfot but doesn't rule either way.</ref> The Beiur Halacha 511:2 s.v. Yadav implies that what is considered a pleasure enjoyed by everyone depends on the time and place. (Sh”t Mayim Chaim 1:29 supports this idea.) <ref>"Changes in Sociology or Technology and Jewish Law Responses to Them: The Cases of Showering or Smoking on [[Yom Tov]]" is an RJJ article by Avi Wagner and R’ Broyde on this topic. (R’ Broyde states aware of only one posek who says “Shaave” never changes).</ref></p>

<p class="indent"> Tosfot who holds that there is a biblical prohibition to heat up water on [[Yom Tov]], also holds that there’s a rabbinic prohibition to bathe in water heated before [[Yom Tov]] just like there’s a rabbinic prohibition regarding water heated before [[Shabbat]]. Based on this, the Noda Biyehuda OC 24 and Chacham Tzvi 11 forbid immersing in a heated mikveh, even if the water was heated before [[Yom Tov]] but they did permit using lukewarm water. Teshuvot Divrei Chaim OC 2:26 says that the minhag is to allow women to immerse even on [[Shabbat]] and [[Yom Tov]] in a heated Mikvah. Rabbi Akiva Eiger on Shulchan Aruch 307:5, quoted by Bi’ur Halacha 326:1 "Bimayim" permits bathing in hot water even on [[Shabbat]] because if not the women would be in great discomfort, and the gezeira wasn't made on situations like those. However, the Rambam holds that it’s permissible to wash one’s whole body with water that was heated up before [[Yom Tov]] as long as it’s done outside a bathhouse because there was a rabbinic prohibition not to bathe in a bathhouse on [[Yom Tov]] (Bet Yosef 511:2). </p>

<p class="indent"> Shulchan Aruch 511:2 rules like the Rambam and the Rama rules like Tosfot. Mishna Brurah 551:19 writes that Ashkenazim shouldn’t change the minhag to refrain from washing one’s whole body in water that was heated before [[Yom Tov]]. However, Chazon Ovadyah ([[Yom Tov]] pg 41) writes that the Sephardic minhag is to follow Shulchan Aruch. Sh”t Mayim Chayim 1:29 agrees. </p>

One may not shower on [[Yom Tov]] with water heated on [[Yom Tov]], however, one may shower with water heated before [[Yom Tov]] as long as it is not in a bathhouse. A private bathroom isn't like a bathhouse.<ref>Chazon Ovadia Yom Tov p. 41. [https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/857702/rabbi-hershel-schachter/highlights-of-melachos-shabbos-ii/ Rav Hershel Schachter (Hilchot Shabbat Part 2, min 18)] disagreed and thought that the ''gezerat baalanim'' applies to a private home since the poskim didn't distinguish.</ref> One may shower on [[Yom Tov]] Sheni with water heated by an electric heater on [[Yom Tov]] Rishon, provided there is no incoming cold water that will be heated as it enters the tank. Water that was heated in a solar boiler (common in Israel) is considered like water that was heated before [[Yom Tov]] and one could shower one’s whole body in them on [[Yom Tov]]. <ref>Rav Ovadyah Yosef (Chazon Ovadya [[Yom Tov]] p. 41 and p. 157), Yalkut Yosef [[Shabbat]] Volume 4 Siman 326 page 58. [http://download.yutorah.org/2017/55086/879510.pdf Rav Eliyahu Ben Chaim] holds that it is permitted to shower in lukewarm water on Yom Tov.</ref>

According to a ruling of Rav Yitzchak Yosef Shlita, in the Diaspora, when [[Yom Tov]] falls out on Thursday and Friday and leads into [[Shabbat]], colloquially known as a Three Day [[Yom Tov]], it is permissible to take a shower on [[Yom Tov]] as long as the water in the boiler was boiling before [[Yom Tov]] even if there is incoming water that will be heated as it enters the boiler. <ref>Rabbi Gavriel Elbaz (author of the English HalachaYomit.co.il site) as well as a few other Rabbis sent a question to Rav Yitzchak Yosef Shlita as to whether the lenient position Rav Ovadia Yosef took regarding a solar boiler could be applied to an electric boiler. The final ruling of Rav Yitzchak Yosef can be found on [http://halachayomit.co.il/Default.asp?HalachaID=1573 HalachaYomit.co.il in Hebrew] as well as [http://www.halachayomit.co.il/EnglishDisplayRead.asp?readID=1997 HalachaYomit.co.il in English]. See, however, another [http://www.halachayomit.co.il/displayRead.asp?ReadID=1996 article on HalachaYomit.co.il]. The Teshuvah was later printed in Shu"t HaRishon LeTzion vol. 2 Orach Chaim Siman 74.

=== Ashkenazik ===