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> | ||
