Foot hit a step underwater - Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha

Home / Q&A / Mikveh Immersion / Foot hit a step underwater

Foot hit a step underwater

September 28, 2016

Question

The last time that I went to the mikvah, the attendant requested that I dunk a few extra times because she thought that my foot hit a step on some of my immersions. I was under the impression that if that happens, the immersion is still considered kosher and dunking again is not required. Can you please let me know what the halacha is on this and if I should re–immerse if my foot hits a step or a wall while I am under water?

Answer

You are correct. A woman’s foot or leg does not need to be off the ground or out of contact with the mikveh wall (or stairs) when she immerses. This is because the waters of the mikveh already cling to it and reach the leg to at least a small degree, even when it touches another surface.

Please do follow up on this matter with the attendant, so that you and other women need not perform extra dunks in the future. If it is not comfortable for you to address this directly with her, you may wish to reach out (even anonymously) to the mikveh’s supervising rabbi.

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