Unshaved hair
If I usually shave the hair on my legs and under my armpits before toiveling, would hair that wasn't shaved in those areas (inadvertently not shaved or just overlooked) be considered a chatzitza?
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your question.
Natural body hair does not generally constitute a chatzitzah unless it is matted or tangled. Thus, even a woman who usually shaves but neglects to do so before mikveh is permitted to immerse. (It is still ideal to make a habit of shaving a day or so before mikveh, rather than on the preparation day itself, so as to avoid even the suggestion of being particular about having the hair freshly shaved for immersion.) Additionally, most women are not particular about hair overlooked or inadvertently left unshaved.
This internet service does not preclude, override or replace the psak of any rabbinical authority. It is the responsibility of the questioner to inform us of any previous consultation or ruling. As even slight variation in circumstances may have Halachic consequences, views expressed concerning one case may not be applied to other, seemingly similar cases.
If you have further questions or comments about this email, please click here to Ask the Yoetzet.
The Nishmat Women's Health and Halacha is a public service of Nishmat, The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women. This project and others like it are made possible by contributions from people like you. If you have benefitted from the service, and wish to enable us to help others, click here to donate.









