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Preparing for the Mikveh: Difference between revisions
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## The hair on a woman's head should be washed in hot water and also combed with a comb while it is still wet. The rest of the hair on the body should be cleaned with hot water and lightly combed with her hands.<ref>Gemara Bava Kama 82a requires a washing before the mikveh. Rashi (ad loc s.v. haisha) explains that this washing primarily means combing with a comb. All rishonim (see Tosfot niddah 66b and above footnotes) agree that this includes the hair. The Shach 199:1 cites a dispute whether the washing includes just the hair on the head or all hair. His conclusion is that all hair should be washed and the practice is to comb the hair on her head with a comb and the rest of the hair combed with her hand. Badei Hashulchan 199:11 agrees. The question of whether a comb is necessary is discussed by Sidrei Tahara 199:9 and his conclusion is that it is necessary for the hair on the head. If one doesn't have a comb consult a Rav. The Badei Hashulchan 199:9 explains that the combing should take place while the hair is still wet.</ref> The purpose of washing the hair is to untangle it<ref>[http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=9381&st=&pgnum=400 Rashba (Torat Habayit Hakatzar 30b)]</ref> and remove any dirt.<ref>Badei Hashulchan 199 fnt 10 citing the Chayei Adam</ref> | ## The hair on a woman's head should be washed in hot water and also combed with a comb while it is still wet. The rest of the hair on the body should be cleaned with hot water and lightly combed with her hands.<ref>Gemara Bava Kama 82a requires a washing before the mikveh. Rashi (ad loc s.v. haisha) explains that this washing primarily means combing with a comb. All rishonim (see Tosfot niddah 66b and above footnotes) agree that this includes the hair. The Shach 199:1 cites a dispute whether the washing includes just the hair on the head or all hair. His conclusion is that all hair should be washed and the practice is to comb the hair on her head with a comb and the rest of the hair combed with her hand. Badei Hashulchan 199:11 agrees. The question of whether a comb is necessary is discussed by Sidrei Tahara 199:9 and his conclusion is that it is necessary for the hair on the head. If one doesn't have a comb consult a Rav. The Badei Hashulchan 199:9 explains that the combing should take place while the hair is still wet.</ref> The purpose of washing the hair is to untangle it<ref>[http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=9381&st=&pgnum=400 Rashba (Torat Habayit Hakatzar 30b)]</ref> and remove any dirt.<ref>Badei Hashulchan 199 fnt 10 citing the Chayei Adam</ref> | ||
# Besides the washing a woman must check herself to be sure that she doesn't have any chasisa on herself before going to the mikveh.<ref>The gemara Bava Kama 72a explains that the idea that a women has to check herself before going to the mikveh is a biblical obligation. The [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=9381&st=&pgnum=401 Rashba (Torat Habayit 31a)], Ran (Shavuot 6a s.v. masrich), and Ramban (cited by Tur 199:1) write explicitly that the obligation to check oneself for a chasisa before going to the mikveh (iyun) is biblical. Shach 199:2 agrees. However, the Bet Yosef 199:6 s.v. lechen suggests that the Tur held checking was only a rabbinic obligation. See the [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=412&st=&pgnum=181 Shaarei Tzion 30] who suggests that this might also be the opinion of a number of rishonim, though he admits that his approach isn't supported by much evidence. | # Besides the washing a woman must check herself to be sure that she doesn't have any chasisa on herself before going to the mikveh.<ref>The gemara Bava Kama 72a explains that the idea that a women has to check herself before going to the mikveh is a biblical obligation. The [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=9381&st=&pgnum=401 Rashba (Torat Habayit 31a)], Ran (Shavuot 6a s.v. masrich), and Ramban (cited by Tur 199:1) write explicitly that the obligation to check oneself for a chasisa before going to the mikveh (iyun) is biblical. Shach 199:2 agrees. However, the Bet Yosef 199:6 s.v. lechen suggests that the Tur held checking was only a rabbinic obligation. See the [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=412&st=&pgnum=181 Shaarei Tzion 30] who suggests that this might also be the opinion of a number of rishonim, though he admits that his approach isn't supported by much evidence. | ||
* 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.</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 chasisa it is considered the equivalent of physically or visually inspecting her body."</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.</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.</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> | ||
