Checklist for Tevilah
Many women find it helpful to have a checklist of basic mikveh preparations. You can review this list just before immersing to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.
1. Is this the right night?
- You counted the four- or five-day minimum after becoming niddah, before beginning the shivah neki'im
- You did the hefsek taharah one week ago (e.g., hefsek on Monday afternoon for a Monday night tevilah)
- You completed your shivah neki'im, including the required bedikot
2. Have you removed all chatzitzot?
- Clothing, jewelry, bandages, contact lenses
- Dirt, ink, makeup
- Contraceptive ring or patch (or other medical patch)
- Nails have been trimmed and cleaned
- Hair you are particular about has been removed
- Scabs have been soaked (or removed)
3. Did you do a thorough chafifah?
- Hair has been washed with warm water and shampoo
- Hair on the head has been combed; other hair was combed or separated with your fingers
- Your body has been washed, with care taken to clean folds and creases, eyes, ears, nose, nipples, navel, teeth, and toes.
4. Did you inspect yourself (iyun)?
- Visible areas were checked by looking (perhaps with the aid of a mirror), and other areas were checked by touch.
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