Mikveh timing with husband in reserves

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June 17, 2024

Question

My husband is serving 40 days in reserves, and is hoping to have a schedule of 9 days on base/5 days home. I’m wondering if after sheva nikyim if I should still go to mikva on time, even though he will only be home the following week, or if it is better to go to mikva the night before he is due back?
I remember learning something about keeping a knife under one’s pillow if the husband isn’t home mikva night, is that a real practice?

Answer

We thank you and your husband for his service.
We recommend immersing on time on the chance he is able to get home sooner than expected.
Some communities do follow the kabbalistic custom you described. If it is a known custom in your community, it would be appropriate. Otherwise, many halachic decisors, including both our site’s founding rabbinic supervisor, Rav Yehuda Henkin ztz”l, and our current rabbinic supervisor, Rav Kenneth Auman, deem such practices unnecessary.
Please feel free to get back to us with any further questions.
Bsurot tovot!

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