Mikvah Observance Checklist - Mivtza Taharas Hamishpacha

Make sure tonight is the correct night for immersion:

* Did you successfully perform your Hefsek Taharah on this day of the week, before sunset, exactly one week ago?
* Have you performed twice daily internal examinations (bedikos) for the entire Seven Days?
* Please consult your Rabbi if you did not perform the required, twice daily bedikos, particularly on days 1 and 7

Jewish marriage sanctifies man and woman. Mivkah observance introduces times of separation and reunion as part of a cycle in married life.

Mikvah immersion is entrusted to the woman. It is a moment of special closeness in a woman's relationship with G-d, an auspicious time for her personal prayers and requests to be granted.

This checklist is useful prior to immersion. Complete understanding and observance of these laws necessitates in-depth study and subsequent review on a woman-to-woman basis.

As the waters of the mikvah embrace you, so may you be enveloped with Divine blessings in every aspect of your life.

Prerequisites for Immersion

Shortly before sunset, on the day your period ends (at earliest on the fifth day of menstrual cycle), make the initial internal examination.
Begin using white undergarments and bed linens.
On the morning following the successful initial internal examination, begin counting the Seven (7) Blood-Free Days.
Make the required daily examinations particularly on days 1 and 7.
Immersion takes place the following week, after nightfall, on the same day of the week as the initial examination.
Call the Mikvah a few days in advance to check if an appointment is necessary.
If you are traveling, view our Mikvah Directory to find a Mikvah near you.

The Day of Immersion

It is advisable to refrain from kneading dough, using glue, paint or any other substance which is difficult to remove.
Meat and chicken should preferably not be eaten, except in honor of the Sabbath or a Jewish holiday.
It is best to begin your preparations before sunset.
One should not eat between the time of the bath/preparations and subsequent immersion. One may drink water.

Suggested List of Items Useful in Preparation

alcohol
baby shampoo without conditioners
back brush
comb
cotton balls
dental floss
nail clipper and file
Q-tips
toothbrush and toothpaste
tweezers

Additional Items to Bring to the Mikvah

(Verify if the Mikvah supplies these items:)
Towel
Robe
Slippers
Contact lens case
Make-up
Blow dryer
Non-white underwear

Preparation Checklist

During your preparations, you may call on your Mikvah attendant for advice and assistance.

You can use the checkboxes beside each item to keep track of what you've done. If you would like to see a checklist including the timing to be allowed for each step of your preparation, please click here

Ask yourself: Have I made a Hefsek Tahara at least one week ago, on this day of the week, before sunset?

Ask yourself: Have I made at least one bedikah on day 1 and on day 7?

Remove jewelry, glasses, contact lenses, false teeth, false eyelashes, false nails, band-aids and any removable medical/dental apparatus, including removable birth control devices such as the patch or ring.

Remove make-up and skin lotions.

Remove nail polish. Cut, file and clean finger and toe nails.

Brush teeth; no particles of food should remain between teeth. Use unwaxed dental floss, only if you are sure it will not get caught between teeth. Rinse mouth with water.

Bathe with warm water. Wash the entire body thoroughly using a soap that does not leave a residue and a washcloth or loofah sponge.

Give careful attention to the following: ears and earring holes, nose, corner of eyes, eyelashes, eyebrows, entire breast, navel, genital area – also within the folds, underarms, elbows, knees, back, between fingers/toes and the soles of feet.

Smooth hard skin and calluses. Soften and remove dry scabs provided bleeding will not occur.

Remove protruding splinters.

Wash hair with shampoo, without conditioners (if a conditioner is needed to remove all knots, be sure to rinse as well as possible to remove all residue).

Shower or rinse thoroughly with water.

Comb all hair while still wet.

If preparations are made at home, shower and recomb your hair at the mikvah.

Check your body, visually and by touch to ensure that it is free of intervening substances.

Use the restroom if needed. Rewash, recheck and recomb this area after using the restroom.

Do not dry yourself.

Signal to the Mikvah attendant that you are ready.

Put on a robe and slippers while you wait for the mikvah attendant.

Mikvah Immersion

Enter the Mikvah and immerse once. Then, (cover head), submerge body to neck, embrace yourself beneath your heart, and recite the blessing:

BARUCH ATAH A-DOH-NOI ELO-HAINU MELECH HA'OLOM ASHER KIDESHONU B'MITZVOSAV V'TZIVANU AL HAT'VILAH.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the immersion.

Immerse again following the blessing.

Immerse any further immersions, according to your custom.

Upon completion many women say the following:

Y'-HI RA-TZON MI-L'-FO-NEH-CHAH A-DOH-NOI E-LO-HAI-NU VAI-LO-HAI A-VO-SAI-NU SHE-YI-BO-NEH BAIS HA-MIK-DOSH BI-M'-HAI-RAH V'-YO-MAI-NU V'-SAIN CHEL-KAI-NU B'-SO-RO-SEH-CHAH.

May it be Your will, L-rd, Our G-d and G-d of our fathers, that the Holy Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days, and grant us a portion in Your Torah.

The gates of heaven are now open to your private prayers.

There are important guidelines to proper use of the Mikvah. To ensure that all preparations and the actual immersion are all performed correctly, one should be advised by a reliable counselor. For a free and confidential consultation, please call 718-756-5700 or email us at mikvah@mikvah.org.

The Cycle of Sanctity:A Mikvah Observance Checklist

The Cycle of Sanctity:
A Mikvah Observance Checklist