Rabbi Benjamin Hotza Rules It Is a Mitzvah to Swim on Weekdays at Municipal Pools Open on Shabbat

Rabbi Benjamin Hotza, a prominent halachic authority, presents a daily brief halacha segment on Kikar HaShabbat, clarifying Jewish law and customs. In a recent episode, he addressed the question of whether it is permissible to swim at a municipal pool that remains open on Shabbat, especially during Bein Hazmanim (the vacation period between yeshiva semesters) when the municipality organizes gender-segregated swimming sessions. Rabbi Hotza ruled that it is indeed a mitzvah to attend such a pool on a weekday, even if the pool is open on Shabbat, emphasizing the importance of strengthening Shabbat observance through proper conduct during the week. The segment included a video explanation and was accompanied by illustrative footage. This guidance comes amid ongoing community efforts to balance religious observance with public recreational activities.