[Avodah] Today, January 3rd, 2023 is the fast of Asara B’Teves. Is it permissible to rinse one’s mouth with mouthwash?

[Prof. L. Levine]

>From today's OU Kosher Halacha Yomis:


Q. Today, January 3rd, 2023 is the fast of Asara B’Teves. Is it permissible to rinse one’s mouth with mouthwash?

A. Shulchan Aruch (OC 567:3) writes that one should not rinse their mouth with water on a Taanis Tzibur (such as Asara B’Teves), even if they are accustomed to doing so every morning. The Mishna Berura (567:12) indicates that it is also prohibited to rinse one’s mouth with vinegar, though vinegar is not potable. Nonetheless, the Mishna Berura (567:11) writes that one who is in great discomfort may rinse their mouth with water or vinegar, provided they tilt their head downward, so they do not inadvertently swallow. The Aruch Hashulchan (567:3) is even more lenient. He allows rinsing with water or vinegar if the head is tilted downward, even if the person is not in distress.

The Be’er Moshe (8:94) allows those who have bad breath to rinse with mouthwash, if they will otherwise be embarrassed. Furthermore, he notes that since it is unhealthy to drink mouthwash and people are careful not to swallow any amount, mouthwash may be used even without tilting one’s head downward. (Though vinegar is not potable, it is not unhealthy, and therefore vinegar has the requirement of head tilting.) Sefer Kinyan Torah (2:49) disagrees with this last point and equates mouthwash with vinegar. In any event, if one is in discomfort or is embarrassed, there is agreement that one may rinse with water and vinegar by tilting the head forward, and according to the Be’er Moshe, mouthwash can be used even without the tilting precaution.

Professor Yitzchok Levine
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