Hot Showers on Rosh Chodesh Av

Question

I always get confused about showering on Erev Shabbos during the Nine Days. Can the rov give me clear guidelines regarding this practice, especially this year, when Rosh Chodesh Av is Friday and there are two Erev Shabbosos before Tisha B’Av?

Chaim Yaakov March

Rav Auerbach 

In truth, it should be permitted to wash for Shabbos during the Nine days, since one is doing so for the sake of a mitzvah and not for pleasure. However, since Erev Shabbos Chazon sometimes falls out on the 8th of Av, which is technically Erev Tisha B’Av, we therefore do not bathe on Erev Shabbos Chazon. However, the Shabbos of Rosh Chodesh is not included in this prohibition and therefore one may bathe normally (Mishnah Berurah 551:89 in the name of Bach and Taz).

On Erev Shabbos Chazon, one should wash his hands, feet and face in hot water. Hands and feet include the entire arms and legs, including the underarms and legs, and one’s face includes the entire head. Preferably, you should not use soap or shampoo, unless you will feel extremely uncomfortable without them.

The Mishnah Berurah (551:95) states that it is permitted to go to the mikvah on Erev Shabbos if one always goes and does not even miss lifomim, occasionally. I do not think that if a person missed going once or twice he is not allowed to go. Rather, as long as he generally goes to the mikvah, he may do so on Erev Shabbos Chazon. When going, he should be toivel in cold water and come out right away.

I believe that people who go to the mikvah every single day should not continue this practice during the Nine Days. However, I can see from your levush that you are chassidish. Since chassidim have their own hanhagos, you should ask a chassidishe posek this specific question.