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Preparing for the Mikveh: Difference between revisions

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* Taz 199:4 explains that washing one’s body also accomplishes the checking, however, the Shiurei Tahara 199:5 argues that washing doesn’t fulfill the obligation of checking, though one could check oneself while one is washing and that suffices for the checking. Badei Hashulchan 199:12 quotes both opinions without ruling one way. The Laws of Niddah v. 2 p. 438 seems to side with the Taz; to quote "generally when a woman bathes and washes herself thoroughly with the intention and concentration to remove any chatzitza it is considered the equivalent of physically or visually inspecting her body."</ref>
* Taz 199:4 explains that washing one’s body also accomplishes the checking, however, the Shiurei Tahara 199:5 argues that washing doesn’t fulfill the obligation of checking, though one could check oneself while one is washing and that suffices for the checking. Badei Hashulchan 199:12 quotes both opinions without ruling one way. The Laws of Niddah v. 2 p. 438 seems to side with the Taz; to quote "generally when a woman bathes and washes herself thoroughly with the intention and concentration to remove any chatzitza it is considered the equivalent of physically or visually inspecting her body."</ref>
# A woman must clean between her teeth before going to the mikveh.<ref>The Raavad (Baalei Hanefesh cited by Bet Yosef 198:25) and Rosh (Mikvaot no. 35) learn from the story of the Gemara Niddah 66b that a woman found a bone between her teeth after going to the mikveh and it was a problem that a woman should clean between her teeth before going to the mikveh. The Bach 198:24 writes that checking the teeth before the mikveh is only a good advice so that she doesn’t have an issue when she goes to the mikveh and finds something afterwards but it isn’t a real obligation. However, the Tur and Shulchan Aruch 198:24 quote this with the language that she has to check her teeth before mikveh. Additionally, the Shach 198:30 argues with the Bach.</ref>  
# A woman must clean between her teeth before going to the mikveh.<ref>The Raavad (Baalei Hanefesh cited by Bet Yosef 198:25) and Rosh (Mikvaot no. 35) learn from the story of the Gemara Niddah 66b that a woman found a bone between her teeth after going to the mikveh and it was a problem that a woman should clean between her teeth before going to the mikveh. The Bach 198:24 writes that checking the teeth before the mikveh is only a good advice so that she doesn’t have an issue when she goes to the mikveh and finds something afterwards but it isn’t a real obligation. However, the Tur and Shulchan Aruch 198:24 quote this with the language that she has to check her teeth before mikveh. Additionally, the Shach 198:30 argues with the Bach.</ref>  
# A woman shouldn't wash her hair before going to the mikveh with cold water or a type of cleaning agent that would make her hair tangled or fall out.<ref>Gemara Niddah 66b, Shulchan Aruch YD 199:2</ref> The minhag is for a woman to use shampoo or the like and then afterwards to just use hot water and comb the hair. Even though we're not sure that the shampoo or the like are acceptable for this washing, the washing in hot water without any shampoo and combing suffices.<ref>Badei Hashulchan 199:24 explains that it is possible that some of our soaps or shampoos have ingredients from the types of cleaning agents that the gemara says not to use. Nonetheless, it is acceptable since afterwards the practice is to wash the hair with hot water and comb it which itself is a sufficient washing of the hair before tevilah. Taharat Habayit v. 3 p. 243 also writes that the minhag is to use shampoo and conditioner without jell and then wash the hair with hot water.</ref>  
# A woman shouldn't wash her hair before going to the mikveh with cold water or a type of cleaning agent that would make her hair tangled or fall out.<ref>Gemara Niddah 66b, Shulchan Aruch YD 199:2</ref> The minhag is for a woman to use shampoo or the like and then afterwards to just use hot water and comb the hair. Even though we're not sure that the shampoo or the like are acceptable for this washing, the washing in hot water without any shampoo and combing suffices.<ref>Badei Hashulchan 199:24 explains that it is possible that some of our soaps or shampoos have ingredients from the types of cleaning agents that the gemara says not to use. Nonetheless, it is acceptable since afterwards the practice is to wash the hair with hot water and comb it which itself is a sufficient washing of the hair before tevilah. Taharat Habayit (v. 3 p. 243) also writes that the minhag is to use shampoo and conditioner without jell and then wash the hair with hot water. [https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/1094884 Rabbi Willig (Chatzitza Shiur 26, min 35-37)] holds that standard conditioner isn't a chatzitza.</ref>
# The practice is for the woman to take a hot bath to accomplish this cleaning, though if a women couldn't take a bath but could take a shower that is sufficient.<Ref>Badei Hashulchan 199:17</ref>  
# The practice is for the woman to take a hot bath to accomplish this cleaning, though if a women couldn't take a bath but could take a shower that is sufficient.<Ref>Badei Hashulchan 199:17</ref>  
# A woman should clean her ears from earwax and nose from mucus.<ref>Darkei Moshe 199:2 citing the Shaarei Dura, Rama 198:43</ref> Hard mucus in the nose doesn't need to be removed.<ref>Hagahot Rabbi Akiva Eiger 198:2, Shiurei Shevet Halevi 198:7:2</ref>
# A woman should clean her ears from earwax and nose from mucus.<ref>Darkei Moshe 199:2 citing the Shaarei Dura, Rama 198:43</ref> Hard mucus in the nose doesn't need to be removed.<ref>Hagahot Rabbi Akiva Eiger 198:2, Shiurei Shevet Halevi 198:7:2</ref>
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# In cases of extenuating circumstances it is permitted to do the washing before going to the mikveh entirely during the day or entirely at night.<ref>Rama YD 199:3. The Taharat Habayit (v. 3 p. 249) writes that it is permitted to do all of the preparations at night even if it is a personal extenuating circumstance such as if she has older children who will find out if she does her preparations during the day.</ref> In such cases a person should consult a rabbi.
# In cases of extenuating circumstances it is permitted to do the washing before going to the mikveh entirely during the day or entirely at night.<ref>Rama YD 199:3. The Taharat Habayit (v. 3 p. 249) writes that it is permitted to do all of the preparations at night even if it is a personal extenuating circumstance such as if she has older children who will find out if she does her preparations during the day.</ref> In such cases a person should consult a rabbi.
====Friday Night====
====Friday Night====
# The tevilah night is Friday night the washing and preparation should be done on Friday afternoon<ref>Badei Hashulchan 199:62 adds that the preparations should be done before sunset but leaving herself enough time to light the candles.</ref> and completed before sunset.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 199:5, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 160:5. According to the Shiltot (see Tosfot Niddah 68a s.v. kach), this is the case of the gemara where it is impossible to do the tevilah by night and so it is done during the day. According to Rashi the preparation are always done during the day.</ref> Nonetheless, between doing the preparation and the tevilah the woman shouldn't be involved in anything that will cause a chatzitza such as touching something sticky.<ref>Taz 199:8</ref> Immediately before the tevilah on Shabbat the woman should wash her concealed areas with water that was warmed before Shabbat, clean in between her teeth, and check herself.<ref>Badei Hashulchan 199:61 based on Shulchan Aruch YD 199:6</ref> Some say that she shouldn't eat between the preparations for tevilah and tevilah.<ref>Badei Hashulchan 199:62 based on Sidrei Tahara 198:48. [http://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/864207/rabbi-mordechai-i-willig/niddah-shiur-20-chafifah-continued-/ Rabbi Willig (Niddah Shiur 20, min 2-15)], however, is lenient if the couple made early Shabbat to eat the meal between the preparations and the tevilah. Even Badei Hashulchan (Biurim 199:6 s.v. tachuf) is willing to be lenient if she's eating with guests or is a guest and she'll be very embarrassed if she doesn't eat.</ref>
# The tevilah night is Friday night the washing and preparation should be done on Friday afternoon<ref>Badei Hashulchan 199:62 adds that the preparations should be done before sunset but leaving herself enough time to light the candles.</ref> and completed before sunset.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 199:5, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 160:5. According to the Shiltot (see Tosfot Niddah 68a s.v. kach), this is the case of the gemara where it is impossible to do the tevilah by night and so it is done during the day. According to Rashi the preparation are always done during the day.</ref> Nonetheless, between doing the preparation and the tevilah the woman shouldn't be involved in anything that will cause a chatzitza such as touching something sticky.<ref>Taz 199:8</ref> Immediately before the tevilah on Shabbat the woman should wash her concealed areas with water that was warmed before Shabbat, clean in between her teeth, and check herself.<ref>Badei Hashulchan 199:61 based on Shulchan Aruch YD 199:6</ref> Some say that she shouldn't eat between the preparations for tevilah and tevilah, others are lenient.<ref>Sidrei Tahara 198:49, Badei Hashulchan 199:62. [http://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/864207/rabbi-mordechai-i-willig/niddah-shiur-20-chafifah-continued-/ Rabbi Willig (Niddah Shiur 20, min 2-15] and [https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/1093881## Chatzitza Shiur 21, min 28]), however, is lenient if the couple made early Shabbat to eat the meal between the preparations and the tevilah. Even Badei Hashulchan (Biurim 199:6 s.v. tachuf) is willing to be lenient if she's eating with guests or is a guest and she'll be very embarrassed if she doesn't eat.</ref>
## If a woman's tevilah night is Friday night she should light candles after doing the preparations for tevilah and then go to the mikveh. If that's not possible, she should light earlier with a stipulation that she isn't accepting Shabbat and then do the preparations and go to the mikveh.<Ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 160:5, Taharat Habayit v. 3 p. 249</ref>
## If a woman's tevilah night is Friday night she should light candles after doing the preparations for tevilah and then go to the mikveh. If that's not possible, she should light earlier with a stipulation that she isn't accepting Shabbat and then do the preparations and go to the mikveh.<Ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 160:5, Taharat Habayit v. 3 p. 249</ref>
# If Friday day is a Yom Tov and the tevilah night is Friday night then the preparations and checking should be done before Yom Tov. The woman should tie her hair so that it doesn't get tangled over Yom Tov before the tevilah.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 199:6. According to Rashi and the Shiltot (see Tosfot Niddah 68a) this is a situation when it is impossible to have the preparations right before the tevilah and so the tevilah is done beforehand in accordance with Rav Chisda (Niddah 67b). Even though Shulchan Aruch only requires preparing (chafifa) for the tevilah before Yom Tov, the Shach 199:11 also requires checking together with the preparations. </ref> Additionally, in between the preparations and the tevilah if it is possible to avoid touching sticky items one should do so and if not, one should wash one's hands immediately afterwards.<Ref>Tur and Rama 199:6. The Bet Yosef argues that this is an unnecessary stringency and therefore he omits it from the Shulchan Aruch. He proves contention from the Ran and Rashba that in such a case the most critical element is the checking which is done right before the tevilah. The Taz 199:10 explains that the reason we are careful to avoid a chatzitza is between the preparations for the tevilah are done before Yom Tov far in advance of the tevilah.</ref> Lastly, on Yom Tov on Friday afternoon the woman should wash her concealed parts with warm water even that which was heated on Yom Tov and check herself right before the tevilah.<ref>Tur and Shulchan Aruch 199:6.</ref>
# If Friday day is a Yom Tov and the tevilah night is Friday night then the preparations and checking should be done before Yom Tov. The woman should tie her hair so that it doesn't get tangled over Yom Tov before the tevilah.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 199:6. According to Rashi and the Shiltot (see Tosfot Niddah 68a) this is a situation when it is impossible to have the preparations right before the tevilah and so the tevilah is done beforehand in accordance with Rav Chisda (Niddah 67b). Even though Shulchan Aruch only requires preparing (chafifa) for the tevilah before Yom Tov, the Shach 199:11 also requires checking together with the preparations. </ref> Additionally, in between the preparations and the tevilah if it is possible to avoid touching sticky items one should do so and if not, one should wash one's hands immediately afterwards.<Ref>Tur and Rama 199:6. The Bet Yosef argues that this is an unnecessary stringency and therefore he omits it from the Shulchan Aruch. He proves contention from the Ran and Rashba that in such a case the most critical element is the checking which is done right before the tevilah. The Taz 199:10 explains that the reason we are careful to avoid a chatzitza is between the preparations for the tevilah are done before Yom Tov far in advance of the tevilah.</ref> Lastly, on Yom Tov on Friday afternoon the woman should wash her concealed parts with warm water even that which was heated on Yom Tov and check herself right before the tevilah.<ref>Tur and Shulchan Aruch 199:6.</ref>
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