In connection with the mitzvah of Mikvah discussed at the end of Parshas Achrei
as well as in the daily Rambam cycle, we present a collection of halachic articles
from Halacha2Go.com on this fundamental mitzvah
By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Mara D’asra and member of the Crown Heights Beis Din
Mikvah for Men before Davening
The prevailing custom among chassidim is to immerse in a mikvah every day before davening (with the exception of Yom Kippur and Tish’ah B’av), and especially on Erev Shabbos and Shabbos, as well as Erev Yom Tov and Yom Tov. There are sources indicating that there were those who had a custom of going every third day, so as not to go three days without mikvah, and some who had the custom of going Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Shabbos.
There are a number of reasons for immersing every morning, among them:
1) One immerses as preparation for davening, since mikvah can achieve a high level of purity for davening.
2) When a person davens, he resembles a Kohen Gadol who immersed in the mikvah every day.
3) It is a symbolic of teshuvah, and facilitates teshuvah every single day.
4) Daily immersion prevents others from knowing whether a person is going to the mikvah because he needs to purify himself—as done by many who follow the stringency of Tevilas Ezra—or because he wishes to attain a higher level of purity. Although one should make every effort to go to the mikvah before Shacharis—as many of the reasons apply specifically to the morning—in case he didn’t have the chance to do so, it is nevertheless a good idea to go after davening as a symbol of teshuvah, and in preparation for davening minchah.
Tevilas Ezra
Ezra HaSofer instituted Takanas or Tevilas Ezra. According to this takanah (institution), men who are in a state of impurity may not engage in learning Torah until they have purified themselves by toveling in the mikvah. Later on this rule was extended to davening as well. Although Tevilas Ezra does not apply nowadays from a halachic standpoint, it has become the accepted custom. Some Rishonim maintain that the original takanah is still in effect in regard to davening, but the accepted halachah is that it is not. Nevertheless, all poskim agree that, “Hatefillah mekubeles yoseir im hatevilah״ (One׳s prayer is more readily accepted On High if one has toveled), and that it׳s certainly a praiseworthy act with many spiritual and material benefits. Toveling in the mikvah is a form of sanctification, and is in keeping with the mitzvah of “Kedoshim tihiyu״ (You shall be holy).
What if I’ll Miss Minyan?
In case a person is running late and may miss davening with a minyan by going to the mikvah, according to many poskim he may miss davening with a minyan in order to do Tevilas Ezra. If one is in need of Tevilas Ezra, it׳s best to refrain from saying brachos until after going to the mikvah; however, brachos that cannot be delayed, such as Asher Yatzar and Hamapil, should be said before going to the mikvah. #423*
Showering After the Mikvah—for Men
There is a prevailing custom among men—in addition to the tradition of tevilas Ezra, dating back to the times of the second Bais Hamikdash (See Halachah #308 and Halachah #423)—to use a mikvah for spiritual reasons, in preparation for tefillah (prayer) and before entering the heightened state of kedushah (holiness) of Shabbos and Yom Tov.
There is no ban against showering after exiting the mikvah pool. Although halachah considers an individual who has showered with mayim she’uvim (tap water) to acquire a level of tumah (impurity), this does not affect the purity attained by dipping in the mikvah; nonetheless, it is still preferable to avoid doing so. In addition, it is unseemly to wash off the water which was just used as a tool for taharah (purification)—so showering post-dip should only be done if necessary.
Furthermore, it is noted in sefarim (the holy books) that in accordance with kabbalistic custom, we should leave some of the holy mikvah waters on our bodies. Though most people do indeed towel off after using the mikvah, it is good to be makpid (careful) to leave a small area to air dry. #604* ■
Short Q&A’s
Can I use a tub of water (e.g. an inflatable pool) for a men’s Mikvah? And what are things that I can do to make it better?
Preferably, a Mikvah should be built in a fashion of a building, not with any sort of Keli, whether it was a Keli before bolting it or if it was made into a Keli after bolting it.
If this is not possible, you may make a hole in the bottom of the bucket, then attach it to the ground, and then fill the hole with cement.
The minimal size of the hole is one Tefach by one Tefach – a little more than Three inches by three inches. After it is connected to the ground you can fill the hole with cement or glue that would hold up the water. As the hole is quite big it would not be practical to use glue, but it may be used if it is water proof and it would hold up the water.
The hole must be on the bottom of the bucket. You do not need to connect it to the ground by place of the hole.*
* References and Marei Mekomos are available for this Halacha on the websites: www.Halacha2Go.com and www.AskTheRav.com
Please note that these halachos apply in general situations. In unique circumstances, a different halacha may apply. If you are unsure whether the halacha applies to your particular situation, please consult a Rov.