I wonder if Jews in the Southern Hemisphere have a better understanding of the Three Weeks.
The Three Weeks are bookended by two fast days, the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av. This time period corresponds with the Destruction of our (the Jewish) Holy Temples in Jerusalem.
It's summer here in Shiloh. Our local pool's schedule is geared to take Jewish Law as primary. During the Nine Days, when bathing for fun is forbidden, we can't use it for swimming. Only swimming lessons are allowed. Actually, one isn't supposed to start summer swimming in the week and a half between the 17th of Tammuz and the first of Av. If you've already gone swimming, you can continue, because it's "routine."
Kids who attend Jewish-Torah camps should get some idea of what's permitted during the three weeks and nine days, special programming for the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av. But those whose parents my not be a knowledgeable and aren't in a Torah framework, may not be aware.
So, back to my question. Do Jewish kids in Jewish schools in the southern hemisphere, where it's winter and they're in school, have a better knowledge of the laaws pertaining to the three weeks, nine days, 17th of Tammuz and 9th of Av?
9 comments:
During the Nine Days, when bathing for fun is forbidden, we can't use it for swimming. Only swimming lessons are allowed.
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Where did this kulah come from?
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Actually, one isn't supposed to start summer swimming in the week and a half between the 17th of Tammuz and the first of Av. If you've already gone swimming, you can continue, because it's "routine."
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Where did this chumrah come from?
Yes, I have often bemouned the fact that otherwise knowlegeable Jews can know NOTHING about the three weeks/nine days....
I don't know if they have better knowledge in the southern hemisphere, but I am sure they find fasting easier!
[Written by someone who is regretting her choice to fly to the cool Rockie Mountains (aka Granny's) five days after tishe b'av rather than 5 days before....]
Hey, if you don't want to go to the Rockies, I'll take your ticket - anytime! :)
I may be wrong, but in many camps, lessons are allowed.
Also, being coffeeless and fasting I forgot to mention that Eidot Mizrach and Yeminite (if I'm not mistaken) are just strict about the actual week 9th of Av occurs, not the full 9 (10) days.
For years I've heard that due to 3 weeks restrictions, swimming can only be a continuation.
Sorry, shy, can't quote from where.
rm, the southern hemisphere considers 10th of Tevet the hardest fast. Just stay close to the equator for an easier time. A friend from France said that they would go to sleep before breaking the 9th of Av fast, only eating in the morning.
I'd be curious to know what the local rabbi (Rav Bin Nun?) says.
Shalom!
Are the swimming lessons considered "pikuah nefesh"? Are the students given a kula because they're under the age of bar/bat mitzva?
I think that Rav Bar-Hayim has a class on the subject on his website for Machon Shilo.
It is not imminently Pikuach Nefesh.
Also I would think that even though one cannot be mechanech children to feel the Tza'ar of mourning, those around 8 or 9 and up should be able to refrain, for chinuch purposes, from doing such activities in the 9 days.
That would leave the younger children and then I would ask what justification is there for the swimming instructors to not refrain from swimming during the 9 days or Shavua She'chal Bo.
Shalom!
There's probably a rav that says that if there are several groups scheduled to take swimming lessons and there are time constraints - which there always are - then swimming lessons do not have to be canceled during the Nine Days. Many, possible most, 8-9 year olds do not enjoy their swimming lessons so a case can be made for the lessons not diminishing the tza'ar of the Nine Days. I'm not saying that either my rav or I agree with the kula. The pool in Elon Moreh is closed during the Nine Days.
And honestly, if one extends the custom of Edot HaMizrah to include young children (similar to what some Ashkenazim do during Pesah), I don't see what the fuss is about completely closing the pool for what is usually less than a week.
I'll check for more details. One thing for sure is that the pool stays closed for most of the 10th of Av. That means that I'll be missing a lot of pool days this season.
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