MRKH (no uterus) and mikveh

This is not a question I am capable of discussing with someone face to face yet. I am coming to terms with my condition, but am not ready to discuss it with anyone I have to look at, especially a male.

I have MRKH (Mayer Rokintansky Kuster Hauser Syndrome). I have no uterus, I had surgery at 16 to create a vagina. I am now 27, and married. I am trying to become shomer mitzvot, and as part of this my husband and I will be re-marrying in a real Jewish wedding. I have 2 working ovaries and I am genetically female.

Obviously I am never niddah, (no uterus, no niddah) but is there any way I can keep the laws of taharat hamishpacha? Is there any part of taharat hamishpacha that applies to me?

What about mikvah? Do I have reason to keep the mitzvot of mikvah?

Thank you very much for your time.

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

There is nothing to prevent you from immersing in a mikveh for spiritual purposes, and prior to your re-marriage would be a fitting time to do so.

Throughout your married life, you may immerse in the mikveh if you so desire.  However, you are not halachically obligated to immerse and you and your husband are not required to observe any of the laws of niddah.  Your status is similar to that of a woman who undergoes a hysterectomy or menopause.  Such a woman continues to have a fulfilling and holy marriage without the observance of mikveh.

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.