Ashkenazim Stink !!!

B"H

There are not too many occasions I would agree with the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef; but this time, however, I couldn't agree more.

Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef gave another of his famous speeches in his Jerusalem Beit Midrash on Mozzaei Shabbat (right after Shabbat was finished). He announced that Ashkenazic Jews stink when they don't take showers during the nine days preceding Tisha Be' Av. It is unbearable when someone sits next to such a smelly Ashkenazi religious Jew on the bus. Who is able to suffer all the smell from religious Jews not showering ?
Does the Torah command us to do so ?
NO.

Exactly a week ago, we commemorated the destruction of the two Temples (Tisha Be' Av) and in the nine days preceding this Fast, we keep special strict Halachot such as abstain from showers (including washing one's hair) or putting on fresh clothes. During the nine days, all this is only allowed on the Friday before Shabbat starts.

Ashkenazi Jewry begins these nine days very much on time. Sephardi Jews, however, only begin the nine days on the Mozzaei Shabbat before Tisha Be' Av. Example: If Tisha Be' Av is falling on a Tuesday, Sephardic Jews only keep the nine days from Mozzaei Shabbat until Tuesday night.

The nine days, including Tisha Be' Av, always fall into the months of July and August. The hottest summer season in Israel with more than 30 degrees Celsius every day. People sweat and are desperate for showers. And thus, every year, we have the same discussion: Taking showers during the nine days or not ? Fresh clothes - Yes or No ?

The Torah commands us to be clean and no one should smell and bother other people. Sometimes the smell is very strong on buses with lots of Haredim. Most of them, especially the men, keep the strict rules of the nine days and don't necessarily seem to consider the noses and senses of the other bus passengers. Once I changed seats because I was surrounded by an immense smell. And as I am talking about myself - I do not keep the Halachot of not showering or not putting on fresh clothes during the nine days. I wash and change clothes. What I do is not eating meat or listening to music. But I definitely need water. Especially in our Israeli summer heat.

Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef agrees and considers the Ashkenazi non - shower behaviour as disgusting and unnecessary.