Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Getting back on track

12 September, 2007
Question:

Hi,

I am 33 year old mom to 3 who has been very lazy about the mikvah lately. I have skipped the mikvah for a few months while continuing relations with my husband, and as Rosh Hashana is here I want to try to start with a clean slate.

How do I "recount" when I have not been counting at all? Do I have to wait until my next period? I am ashamed that I have been so lax with such an important Mitzvah – how do I get back on track?

Thank you


Answer:

Assuming you are not bleeding now, you should abstain from relations and make a hefsek taharah on the fifth day of abstention.  You would begin counting seven clean days (and performing bedikot on each day) from the following day.  In other words, if you start abstaining on Wednesday, you could make a hefsek taharah on Sunday prior to sunset. Your clean days would begin on Sunday night and continue through the following Sunday afternoon. You would immerse in the mikveh on Sunday night. 

If you become niddah before immersion, you should make a new hefsek taharah as soon as the bleeding stops and start anew with seven clean days.

Getting "back on track" is a praiseworthy endeavor to undertake during this period of repentance!

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