Rectifying Accidental Semen Emission

Hello and blessings,

An accidental nocturnal emission that happens to a person without having thought about inappropriate things the day before is not considered a sin at all. Sometimes it occurs due to eating certain foods, or from improper sleeping positions, or from excessive effort before sleeping. When this happens due to these reasons, there is no defect. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, may his memory be a blessing, would say that it is akin to a child who urinates in his sleep.

Nevertheless, if it happens, he should do as explained in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, chapter 89, section 5: Anyone who, heaven forbid, sees nocturnal emission should wash his hands when he awakens and say with a broken heart: Master of the Universe, I did this unintentionally, only from evil thoughts and bad imaginations. Therefore, may it be Your will, Hashem, my God and the God of my forefathers, to erase this sin in Your abundant mercy, and save me from evil thoughts and the like forever. Amen, may it be Your will. It is advisable to immerse in a mikvah (ritual bath), and if it is not possible to immerse, the sages instituted that one should pour nine kav (a measure of water) over his body, which is equivalent to a five-minute shower.

If it is a result of thoughts or earlier sight, he should repent, and the rectifications are as noted in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, section 7. The corrections for someone who has stumbled in this sin are written in the book Yesod Yosef, which compiled from holy and ancient books, and I will write some of them briefly here. To strive to be a sandek (a person honored to hold the baby during circumcision) especially for poor families, to increase charity to the needy, to observe Shabbat properly and delight in it, to light many candles, to honor and love Torah scholars, to pray with intent and tears, to choose the trait of humility, and when he hears someone disparaging him, to keep quiet and forgive. When he performs a mitzvah, he should do it with strength and alacrity until he becomes warm in it, especially in the performance of the mitzvot for Pesach. To raise his children to study Torah and guide them in awe of Heaven. To raise an orphan in his home and treat him like his son. To engage in the mitzvah of providing for brides. To be called to the Torah at least once every month and bless the blessings aloud.

Also, let him look at the Torah and read quietly with the reader. To be among the first ten in the synagogue. To stand at midnight to perform Tikkun Chatzot with tears. If he cannot rise at midnight, he should perform Tikkun Chatzot later. To love peace and pursue peace. And may it be that we will merit to rectify all that we have blemished with success - Menashe Israel. P.S. It should be noted that washing does not substitute for Mikvah in any way, but only for this matter of nocturnal emission!!