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

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Immersion for non-niddah purposes

6 August, 2009

Question:

I know some women have a custom of going to Mikvah on Erev Yom Kippur.

1. Are there other days that they would go as well, not related to nidah status.

2. Does her nidah status impact her tevilah Erev Yom Kippur?

Thank you.


Answer:

1. For similar purposes of teshuvah (repentance), some women immerse on Erev Rosh HaShanah.  We are not aware of other specific days on which women immerse for purposes other than exiting niddah.

2. A woman is permitted to immerse on Erev Yom Kippur or Erev Rosh HaShanah even if she is in niddah.  However, it is important for her to understand that this immersion does not remove her niddah status, since it does not follow counting a full seven clean days.  A good practice is for mikvaot that open for women prior to Yom Kippur to post a sign to remind women that this immersion does not remove niddah status.


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