Immersion in the Mikveh for Unmarried Women

Good week,

An unmarried woman is prohibited from immersing in the mikveh (see Responsa Rivashi, Siman 486, as cited in Beit Yosef Yoreh De'ah end of Siman 180).

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef ztz"l writes in the book Shulchan Yosef (pages 116-119) that there is a serious prohibition for unmarried women, as well as divorced, widowed, and single women, to immerse in the mikveh in any form, as long as they have not married in accordance with halacha. Despite the fact that there are rabbis who instruct unmarried women and similar cases to immerse for the sake of a segulah (spiritual remedy) or for the sake of purity, it should be made clear that there is no basis for these actions, and they bring about transgressions and obstacles in this matter. The mikveh attendants should be careful and warn against immersing unmarried women and similar cases.

Best regards,

Hillel Meirs