I just found this site and I love it!
I was reading the page about the "22 days" and was wondering about the following. During the period when taking a shower is not permitted, is swimming allowed if you swim for the purpose of excercise (as opposed to for the fun of it) or is it the same as taking a shower?
Any help would be appreciated.
Adina - swimming is included in the days when a shower is not allowed.
some go a step further and say that since it is a bad time for the Jewish people swimming especially is not allowed since it can be dangerous.
If someone has acne and is taking antibiotics twice a day, can they take them (even without water) on fast days like 17 of Tammuz? They are part of a course that have to be taken at specific times.
In answer to Ephraim's question, the following is provided here as a general guideline. A competent Halakhaic authority should be contacted for specific cases.
On any fast, medication which is life-threatening or critical must, of course, be taken as prescribed. However, a competent Hakham needs to be consulted.
There are some medications which are taken for conditions that are neither life-threatening nor serious, (one would imagine that antibiotics for acne, which albeit important, would, nevertheless fall into this category). Even when they are part of a course which, if not taken every day, are not as effective, they usually may still be taken later one day or earlier the next with no noticeable change in their results. On fasts such as the 17th of Tammuz and the 10th of Tebeth, one should take these medications just prior to the fast and again just after, but not on the fast itself.
As mentioned, these are just guidelines for general knowledge. Please consult with your Rabbi on specific cases.
What are the rules about cutting your nails during this period? Is it allowed?
Emanuel- Even though my answer will do you no good for this year because the 22 days are over, in case the moshiach will not arrive by next year, the answer is no.
Manny, cutting nails is not done on the week of Tishah B'Ab unless they are very long, in which case they should be cut.