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

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Hosting Shabbat guests on mikveh night

26 February, 2009
Question:

I'm wondering what I should do…
We have Shabbat guests coming and I am due to go to mikveh on Friday night. I dont think there's any way to get out 'discreetly'. How 'big a deal' is it to push off til Saturday night?


Answer:

Although Ashkenazic practice is to conceal the night of mikveh immersion, it is ok for a few people (preferably women) to find out about it if that is the only way you can get to the mikveh that night.

Alternatively, it is permissible to come up with an excuse (even one that is not truthful) about where you will be going. You can say you are going to shul, or that you are going to visit a neighbor, etc. 

There is a strong preference for immersing on time. However, if none of these options work for you, and your husband agrees to delay immersion for one night, it is permissible to delay mikveh until Motzai Shabbat.

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