Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

Footnote

August 9, 2024

Q On Tisha B’Av, may one wear non-leather sneakers that are as comfortable as leather shoes? What about a shoe with leather trim?

A One of the prohibitions of Tisha B’Av is ne’ilas hasandal (wearing shoes). Non-leather footwear is not considered a shoe for this purpose (O.C. 554:16).

According to some, what is forbidden is not leather per se but the comfort and protection that it affords (Panim Me’iros, cited in Sha’arei Teshuvah ibid. 11), so sneakers that provide these things would likewise be forbidden. Though the halacha doesn’t accord with this view, the Mishnah Brurah (604:5) says it is commendable to follow it on Yom Kippur, but he doesn’t say that about Tisha B’Av. R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo 15:4), however, says to be strict about this on Tisha B’Av even if one is lenient on Yom Kippur.

A predominantly non-leather shoe with a minority of leather components is forbidden (O.C. ibid. and Mishnah Brurah). If those parts are only decorative, it is permitted, because the leather doesn’t add comfort (Kovetz Halachos 18:17). The same is true for synthetic sandals with leather straps (ibid. footnote 15).

Some forbid faux leather because of mar’is ayin (Minchas Shlomo 2:53). Others contend that mar’is ayin doesn’t apply to this issur. Still others say there’s no mar’is ayin here, because the public is aware of the widespread use of faux leather (R’ Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, Ashrei Ha’ish 3:71).