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

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Lice and nits

19 December, 2010

Question:

Do lice and/or their eggs constitute chatsitsa for the purpose of immersion in the mikveh? If I can't get them all out – and can't afford to pay someone to do it for me – should I not immerse?


Answer:

Lice and eggs that can be removed with reasonable effort are considered a chatzitzah.  Lice and eggs that remain after thorough combing or other treatment are not. 

In other words, you are not required to hire someone to remove all of the lice and nits.  You are required to remove as much as you can with thorough combing prior to immersion.  Lice and nits that elude you will not invalidate your immersion.


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