Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Sephardi-Ashkenazi couple

26 May, 2013

Question:

A general question about marriage, especially a 'mixed marriage' such as when the husband is sephardi and the wife is ashkenaz. When it comes to the minhagim and halachot, in terms of the halachot of Taharat HaMispacha, which rulings do they follow, the husband's sephardi halachot, or the wife's?


Answer:

In matters that pertain to both husband and wife, or to the children, a "mixed" couple follows the husband's tradition, whether sephardi or ashkenazi.  In matters that pertain to the wife alone, she is permitted to follow her family's custom.  When it comes to taharat hamishpachah, for example, the husband's custom is followed.  Mikveh immersion itself, however, is generally based on the wife's mother's practice. If there are specific concerns regarding a particular practice, an individual question can be asked.


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