עברית
Halachot and Customs
At What Hour Can One Immerse Before Shabbat and Festivals?
Question
Hello, when immersing in a mikveh before Shabbat and before holidays and Yom Kippur, is there a specific hour from which one should immerse, or can it be done early in the morning after prayer? Thank you very much.
Answer
Greetings,
Regarding immersion before Rosh Hashanah - see Mishnah Berurah (Siman 581, Se'if 26) which states that one should not immerse more than an hour before midday (and see Mishnah Berurah Siman 583, Se'if 22).
As for Erev Yom Kipur - Chayei Adam (Klal 145, Se'if 7) writes that the main time for immersion is after midday. However, one who wishes to immerse earlier may do so no earlier than an hour before midday. This is also mentioned in Kaf Hachaim (Siman 578, Se'if 32). And see Mishnah Berurah (there, Se'if 18) that it is good to immerse before Mincha prayer, as one confesses then, and some have the custom to immerse after the final meal before Yom Kipur so that it is close to Yom Kipur.
As for Erev Shabbat - it is preferable not to immerse more than an hour before midday (see Sefer Shivtei Tzion, Hilchot Shabbat, Part 1, pages 181-183).
Best regards,
Hillel Meirs.
