Immersion and early Shabbat

Is there any way to work out making early Shabbos on a mikva night? I guess I would have to go after our early Shabbos meal. Would this be ok halachikly?
Thank you.

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

Immersion when making early Shabbat might take some extra logistical planning, such as making an appointment in advance and possibly performing some preparations in the morning to be sure there is time for them.

Aside from the concern about getting items stuck between the teeth, we are not aware of a halachic concern with immersing after the meal.  If you are immersing after the Shabbat meal, you may eat meat and chicken so long as you take extra care to keep your teeth clean.  You will need to clean your teeth in a manner permitted on Shabbat and wash any remnants of food from your hands and face prior to immersion. As with any immersion, you will do a final inspection (iyun) at the mikveh just before you immerse.

Alternatively, your husband could go to the early minyan and come home to babysit, but you could delay the Shabbat meal until after you return from the mikveh.

The timing of the tevilah should usually be after nightfall.  In some communities, immersion may be permitted after sunset on Shabbat, when necessary.  Speak to a local rabbi if this might be important in your case.

Please review our articles: Chafifah on Yom Tov for a discussion of permissible ways to clean your teeth and wash yourself on Shabbat, and Immersion on Shabbat and Yom Tov for a discussion of the immersion procedure.

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.

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