Got period just after sunset

2 January, 2006

Question:

I discovered I had my period bein hashmashot (between sunset and dark) on Sunday evening. Which is day 1 — Sunday or Monday?

Does the near impossibility of my going to the mikvah friday night have any bearing?

Answer:

The halachic determination of the timing of a period's onset depends on when you actually find you have your period and on sunrise or sunset. In your case, since you found your period after sunset, Monday counts as the first of the five days.

Unfortunately, the difficulty of reaching the mikveh on Friday night does not have the halachic weight to change this ruling. We hope that you are able, nevertheless, to find a way to immerse Friday night. Please do not hesitate to write back detailing the Friday night situation in case we can help you with your planning.

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