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

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“Touch” from mikveh attendant

1 September, 2022
Question:

I was at the Mikvah recently, and a woman leaving the Mikvah asked the Mikvah attendant for “a touch” before she left. The attendant said of course and got up and shook the lady’s hand. I’ve never heard of that before, what is the purpose of this?


Answer:

According to some, there is a kabbalistic concern about coming into contact with tumah (ritual impurity) immediately after immersion (for example, a cat, dog, or other impure animal). However, the first person/creature you encounter on emerging from the mikveh is the mikveh attendant and this avoids the issue. Some women also try to make physical contact with the attendant for this reason.

Please feel free to get back to us with any further questions.

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