Daytime immersion in ocean - Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha

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Daytime immersion in ocean

December 22, 2014

Question

I am traveling to a country without a mikvah next week. I had not anticipated this would be an issue because I was pregnant when I was planning the trip. However, I unfortunately had a miscarriage, and now mikvah night falls a few days into the two–week trip.

There will be access to the ocean where I am visiting. However, the beach areas are considered dangerous at night – due to crime, a lack of outdoor lighting and so forth. If it turns out that I do feel unsafe at night, is it permitted to dip during the day? If so, is there a modest way to do it during daylight?

Answer

We are sorry to hear of your miscarriage.

Safety is an important concern in halacha, so in a case of danger there may be room to permit immersion during the daytime on the 8th day. However, a better solution would be to immerse either at sundown (as opposed to after nightfall), or very early the next morning shortly before sunrise of the 8th day. Both of these options are preferable to immersing during the daytime. If neither of these is possible, you may immerse during the daytime of the 8th day. You should wear a loose robe as you enter the water to keep yourself covered.

You will need to find an area on the beach that is reasonably private without being unsafe. See our article on immersion in a natural body of water for more guidelines and tips.

Please feel free to get back to us with any further questions.

B’Hatzlacha!

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