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I need to slip out of a wedding to go to mikveh. How far in advance can I prepare?

25 June, 2023
Question:

We have a family wedding tonight in another city and my Mikvah night is also tonight. Now that Shkia is so late, I can’t go before the wedding, as it won’t yet be dark, and I can’t go after, because it will be closed by the time we get back.

My question is, if I slip out of the wedding in the middle, to go in that city, how long before, can I get ready? So I only have to rinse off there and not do everything there? How long is too long? (I realize I may not get an answer in time, and I can’t call the hotline until it will be too late, but at least the answer will be here for the next person who tries to look it up.) Thanks.


Answer:

Mazal tov!

We’re sorry that we couldn’t get back to you sooner, but appreciate the opportunity to help others.

It’s fully permissible to do all of your preparations earlier in the day, even in the morning if need be, taking care to keep them intact. Then, at the mikveh, you’d just rinse off and comb through your hair, clean your teeth, and inspect yourself.

We hope that you were able to make this work. Ducking out in the middle of an event can feel stressful, but the positive energy at coming back to it straight from the mikveh, and the message of commitment that it makes to you and your husband, may make up for the stress.

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