Family vacation while niddah
3 June, 2004
Question:I remember learning that one should not take a vacation when in niddah. I am wondering if this still applies when it is a family trip meant to entertain children. Specifically, my in-laws would like to meet me at a vacation property when my husband will be working to help me with the kids and to enjoy some time with them. It may be more practical to rent the property for a week even though my in-laws can’t arrive until the middle of the week. Since my husband has vacation time (fixed) in the beginning of the week, is it okay for us to have this “vacation” while I am in niddah (likely though not certain)? I should mention that we will have six children with us ranging in age between 14 to 2 such that I will probably need a vacation from this “vacation.”
Also, is there anything terribly improper about a women (properly covered) going to a beach with children (all female, except 4 year old boy) if the beach is not a separate beach and others will obviously not be particularly careful about dress. The children –male and female– will be properly covered.
Answer:A husband and wife should not go off on a pleasure trip together when the wife is niddah. What you are describing seems much more like moving your entire family from one location to another. This sounds appropriate when you are niddah.
The issues with mixed swimming are seeing people underdressed and being underdressed. It is less of a problem for women to see men in bathing suits than the reverse. Therefore, for you to be at the beach dressed is not a problem. Similarly, for your 4 year old boy to see women in bathing suits is not much of a problem. The question remains with your girls. You do not mention their ages. If they are older (say above about age 6), they should also be properly covered. Furthermore, there is the issue of chinuch in term of their understanding the problems of mixed swimming.
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