לקריאת המאמר בעברית במגזין גלויה | Originally published in Hebrew in Gluya
Many women assume that proper immersion is possible only in a purpose-built mikveh. However, we must not forget that before mikvehs were dug and bathhouses built, immersion in nature was the only option.
Some women prefer to immerse in nature—some due to their love for natural water in the open air and an aversion to institutionalized immersion in a purpose-built mikveh; others do so as a result of necessity, such as while traveling to a place without a mikveh. Some see immersion in nature as an opportunity for a spiritual experience; others would ideally like to immerse in an established mikveh without an attendant, but to avoid confrontation, they turn to immersion in nature.
The challenge of COVID-19 led more women to immerse in natural water sources, but this type of immersion is quite complex. First, it is important to check if it is legal to immerse in the relevant body of water so as to avoid incurring a fine. Second, immersion in springs where the water is stagnant is not safe and may lead to infection. When seeking alternatives to immersion in the mikveh, it is advisable to act responsibly and practically; this will lead to the best choice in terms of health and safety.
Additionally, immersing in nature is accompanied by concerns: fear of the dark, lack of privacy, and the feeling of personal insecurity caused by immersing in complete nudity. Can these concerns be resolved? Are our assumptions about what is necessary and what constitutes a barrier realistic? Delving into these issues reveals that sometimes the path to a solution is easier than anticipated. The questions, of course, pertain to immersion for the purpose of purification, which has specific halakhic guidelines and rules, and not to immersion for enjoyment or a spiritual experience, which can be done in any manner without binding rules.
Immersion in Nature Versus Immersion in a Purpose-Built Mikveh
It is important to clarify: from a halakhic perspective, there is no preference for immersion in a mikveh over a natural water source; indeed, natural water sources predate purpose-built mikvehs. The habit of using regulated and supervised mikvehs often excludes the possibility of immersing in nature, as well as other considerations such as accessibility, weather, water temperature, privacy, and comfort. However, as long as immersing in nature does not involve any danger to life, there is no halakhic issue with it.
Halakhah takes safety considerations into account, so when the only option is immersion in a natural water source, immersion during daylight hours (i.e., on the morning of the eighth day) is worth considering. Although this involves delaying the immersion, it is permissible in exceptional cases, such as concerns about contracting COVID or when one is far from a mikveh or other arrangements. Another solution in other, extremely exceptional cases is to immerse shortly before nightfall in a natural body of water, provided that the couple does not meet or seclude themselves until after nightfall. These situations can occur, for example, when a couple is spending Shabbat in a location where there is no mikveh. In such cases, the woman may have no choice but to immerse in a nearby mikveh before Shabbat begins and then return to the place where they are staying. The couple would agree in advance not to meet until after nightfall, once the seven days of counting are complete. This situation is not halakhically ideal, and therefore it is a solution reserved for when there is no other option; it should not be seen as a permanent solution.
Security considerations are central in halakhic rulings. If you choose to immerse in a natural water source, check whether there might be animals inside or outside the water that could surprise you and from which you should protect yourself, or if there is a risk of falling, high waves, whirlpools, strong currents, and the like in the immersion area. For example, in Israel, there are only a few beaches with lifeguards during the winter (such as at the Carmel Beach). It is important to clarify this in advance and not risk your life.
Is Every Immersion in the Sea, a Spring, a Stream, or a River Valid?
A body of water (natural or constructed) that is deemed kosher for immersion must contain at least forty se’ah (750 liters) of water, and the water level must be at least thirty centimeters above the navel.
A purpose-built mikveh has a reservoir in which the water is stored and collected. The water in the reservoir must be rainwater or groundwater that has not been collected by human hands, meaning it cannot be water that is drawn or brought to the mikveh in vessels. However, as long as a person did not fill the reservoir directly, but only intervened in directing the water to the reservoir, the mikveh is considered kosher. Therefore, water that is collected by a person indirectly (for example, through dams, bridges, or channels that direct the water to a specific source) is considered valid. In fact, neighborhood mikvehs are based on water that has been channeled by human intervention.
Immersion in natural water sources, such as in a natural spring or the sea, is completely kosher. However, immersion in a river is not necessarily suitable for halakhic immersion. If there is no other place besides a river, it is important that it be a perennial stream, which flows all year round and not only in the winter. It is advisable to determine whether the source of the river is rainwater or melting snow (and is therefore not suitable for immersion) or if it is fed by springs throughout the year.
Lakes in vacation villages, for example, are often artificial pools that are filled and emptied for the tourist season and are not truly natural. Therefore, it is important to first determine if this is a natural lake untouched by human hands, and then address the other relevant halakhic questions.
Immersion under a waterfall is not valid. Any immersion “in the air,” meaning when water is poured over you or when a wave washes over you, is not considered immersion. However, one can immerse in the spring beneath the waterfall, ensuring that the immersion takes place in that water and not in the waterfall.
Simple Solutions to Common Problems
Barriers
Many women find immersion in nature without any barrier, meaning in full nudity, intimidating. A possible solution is to immerse while wearing a robe, meaning a loose garment such as a wide cotton shirt or a thin dress, as long as there are no additional clothes underneath.
To avoid stepping on something that could create a barrier, such as mud, sand, tar, leaves, etc., you can place a mat under your feet or walk to the water in flip-flops and remove them before immersing. Additionally, you can wash your feet first and then immerse for purification.
If there is a concern that the water is too shallow and the woman’s hair might not be fully submerged all at once during immersion, it is permissible to gather the hair with a loose hair tie.
Mikveh Attendants
Due to the concern of immersing alone in the dark, it is advisable to bring a companion who can serve as a mikveh attendant. According to Rabbi Yosef Karo in the Beit Yosef, any woman over the age of 12 can serve as a mikveh attendant. The role of the mikveh attendant is to ensure that the entire body of the woman is being immersed, including her hair, that is, submerged in the water all at once. In the Shulchan Arukh, Rabbi Karo updated the requirement, stating that the mikveh attendant must be Jewish. However, when no woman is available to serve as a mikveh attendant, a man can also ensure that the woman’s entire body is submerged in the water. This is done after she has immersed once independently; only then does he look to confirm.
The mikveh attendant can also solve the problem of darkness by illuminating the area with a flashlight.
The Time of Immersion
If you are afraid to immerse in the dark, or if it is not possible to immerse after nightfall, it is permissible, although not ideal, to immerse the following day in daylight hours. Alternatively, in very exceptional cases, a woman may immerse before the end of the seventh day of counting but must be careful to avoid seclusion with her husband until after nightfall. This solution is sometimes suggested for those staying in accommodations on Friday nights and holiday eves where there is no mikveh, both in Israel and abroad, as well as before or after flights when there is no accessible mikveh. If necessary, one can consult with a halakhic authority.
Summary
It is possible to immerse in natural water sources, and there are many ways to do so, depending on the location and personal preferences. A central principle of immersing in nature is ensuring safety. Therefore, it is advisable to find locations in the area that are convenient and safe for immersion, such as a water source with good access that has been renovated, has lighting, and so on.
A preliminary tour of the immersion site during daylight hours can alleviate many worries and concerns, helping you fulfill the desire to immerse in nature. The understanding that, from a halakhic perspective, it is permissible to immerse in a loose robe without any clothing underneath can also help remove some of the obstacles.
There are solutions for additional halakhic questions that arise regarding immersion in natural bodies of water; if necessary, it is advisable to consult a halakhic authority.
Translated by Joshua Amaru
