Mikveh Friday night: Should my husband miss shul to watch our baby?

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March 7, 2006

Question

Next week, G-d willing, I will have to go to the mikvah Friday night. This will be my first Friday night immersion since having my first child. I heard somewhere that it is permitted for one’s husband to stay home from shul to be with the baby in this case. Is this true? The mikvah is a 30 minute walk away from me, so I can’t just run there and back.
Thank you as always for your help.

Answer

Yes, it is permissible for the husband to stay home from shul with a child to facilitate timely mikveh immersion. When he davens at home, he should make an effort to say shemoneh esrai when the tzibbur is saying it at shul, if possible.