Shabbat immersion in ocean - Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha

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Shabbat immersion in ocean

July 6, 2014

Question

I’m going to be in a city with no mivkah, but an ocean. My mikvah night is on Friday night, Shabbat. Can I use the ocean as a mikvah on Friday night? I’m concerned about carrying because how do I take off my bathing suit, get redressed, etc? Thank you:

Answer

Immersing in the ocean is logistically complicated but is permissible if there is no mikveh available. However, immersing in the ocean on Shabbat is even more complex, for a number of reasons (carrying, techum Shabbat…). Therefore, we recommend delaying immersion until Motzai Shabbat.

Please see our article on immersion in a natural body of water for guidelines.

B’Hatzlacha!