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

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Declining segulah offer

13 September, 2009
Question:

I was asked by someone who is in her 9th month of pregnancy if I would be interested, the next time I go to the mikvah, if she goes before me as a segula. I am currently on birth control. Is there a problem with agreeing to this, if I am not ready for a child yet?

Thank you:


Answer:

This segulah practice is generally intended as a sort of fertility aid to the woman who immerses second.  Its significance is spiritual and not halachic, so there is no halachic limitation to your immersing as long as you are tehorah.  That being said, you could consider disclosing to your friend that you are using contraception if you feel that might change her motivations.  But making such a disclosure or declining your friend's invitation is not halachically required.

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