Showering on Yom Tov: Difference between revisions

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 not in a bathhouse. One may shower on Yom Tov Sheni with water heated by an electric heater on Yom Tov Rishon. 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 p41,157) </ref>

# Many major authorities forbid taking a shower with hot water whether the water was heated before Yom Tov or on Yom Tov. However, one may wash one's body one limb at a time with water heated before Yom Tov and one may heat up water on Yom Tov to wash one’s face hands and feet. <ref>Mishna Brurah 551:9 and 18 rules that one may not take a shower a full body shower with hot water on Yom Tov whether the water was heated on Yom Tov or before, however, one may wash one's whole body part by part with water heated before Yom Tov and one may heat up water on Yom Tov to wash one's hands, feet, and face. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 14:7 (in old and new edition) rules like Mishna Brurah. [In the footnote he discusses the topic at length about shows that there is some reason to be lenient but nonetheless doesn't rule that way.] Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen in his book "The Laws of Yom Tov" basically agrees to all of the above and adds that it's customary to refrain from even a cold shower on Yom Tov unless there it is a case of discomfort and that it's permitted to heat up water on Yom Tov for the purpose of washing a minor part of the body. Lastly, Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen adds that washing any part of the body in a shower or bathtub is forbidden unless one is partly clothed. </ref>