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

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Yom Kippur hefsek & moch

22 September, 2004

Question:

I will probably have to do a hefsek taharah just before Yom Kippur ends. I am wondering if I am allowed to wash myself before the bedikah.

Also, I usually like to lie down while I have the moch dochuk inserted as I find it uncomfortable to walk around. However, being Yom Kippur I would like to be in shul. Is there any way I can get around this problem?

Thank you for your advice.


Answer:

On Yom Kippur it is prohibited to come in contact with water for pleasure, but it is permitted to wash in a limited manner to remove dirt and maintain basic hygiene. Therefore, you may wash in preparation for the hefsek taharah. You should minimize your contact with water as much as possible – limit it to the vaginal area only, and to cleaning off your hands afterwards. As on Shabbat, you need to avoid wringing water from a cloth or using warm water from the tap. We follow the view that it would also be permissible to clean the area with a wet wipe.

In this specific scenario, you may omit the moch dachuk.

Gmar Chatima Tova!

This response was updated on 2 October, 2022.


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