עברית
Halachot and Customs
What Should One Do After Nocturnal Emission?
Question
Hello, what should one do in the case of nocturnal emission (discharge during sleep)? The Torah states that one should wash the entire body and all clothing and remain impure until evening. I have a few questions on this topic:
1) If this occurs on Shabbat or a holiday, or God forbid on the Ninth of Av or Yom Kippur, is it permissible to wash?
2) If one touches any object or clean clothing before washing, does the impurity transfer to it? (For example, when preparing clean clothes before washing)
3) What is prohibited and permitted during the time that a person is impure until evening? Is it permissible to read from the Torah, go to synagogue, or put on Tefillin?
Thank you very much.
Answer
Greetings,
Currently, the laws of ritual impurity and purity are not observed at all. During the time of the Temple, when sacrifices were consumed and people were generally pure, there was a Torah obligation to immerse after emission or marital relations; however, today these laws do not apply. There is no prohibition against touching a garment, etc.
Nonetheless, due to the enactment of Ezra the Scribe, one should immerse in a mikvah after emission or marital relations; although this is not an obligation, as explained in the Shulchan Aruch, one who is diligent about it merits holiness and purity and rectification of all sin. This immersion should also be done on Shabbat and holidays, but not on the Ninth of Av and Yom Kippur. It is very advisable, if possible, to refrain from praying or reciting words of holiness until after immersion.
As I wrote above, by the letter of the law, there is no obligation to immerse, and one may still say words of Torah and prayer and put on Tefillin, provided that one washes off the seed beforehand.
Best regards,
Binyamin Shmueli.
