The period leading up to Tisha B'Av, the fast day commemorating the destruction of the Temple, is a time of communal mourning.
Although bathing for pleasure is prohibited before Tisha B'Av (either from the beginning of Av or during the week in which Tisha B'Av falls, depending on custom), a woman may prepare for mikveh normally during this period. She should not spend extra time luxuriating in the bath. On Tisha B'Av itself, one may neither prepare nor immerse in the mikveh.
There is debate among halachic authorities as to whether a woman may remove body hair during the three weeks before Tisha B'Av, so it is best to ask an individual question.
Users of Internet filtering services: This site discusses sensitive subjects that some services filter without visual indication. A page that appears 100% complete might actually be missing critical Jewish-law or medical information. To ensure that you view the pages accurately, ask the filtering service to whitelist all pages under yoatzot.org.
All health and health-related information contained within Nishmat's Women's Health & Halacha Web site is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for consulting with your health care professional. The advice is intended to offer a basis for individuals to discuss their medical condition with their health care provider but not individual advice. Although every effort is made to ensure that the material within Nishmat's Women's Health & Halacha Web site is accurate and timely, it is provided for the convenience of the Web site user but should not be considered official. Advice for actual medical practice should be obtained from a licensed health care professional.
Ask a Yoetzet
Golda Koschitzky Hotline
