The Cycle of Sanctity:
A Mikvah Observance Checklist

Make sure tonight is the correct night for immersion:
  • * Did you successfully perform your Hefsek Taharah on this day of the week, before sunset, exactly one week ago?
  • * Have you performed twice daily internal examinations (bedikos) for the entire Seven Days?
  • * Please consult your Rabbi if you did not perform the required, twice daily bedikos, particularly on days 1 and 7 (day 1 is the day following the successful Hefsek Taharah examination)

Jewish marriage sanctifies man and woman. Mivkah observance introduces times of separation and reunion as part of a cycle in married life. Separation begins with the onset of the menstrual flow (or other uterine bleeding). It is a time when the depth of the husband-wife relationship is expressed without physical intimacy. It is a period of anticipation and preparation for Mikvah immersion. The reunion that follows holds the highest potential for sanctity in marriage.

Mikvah immersion is entrusted to the woman. It is a moment of special closeness in a woman's relationship with G-d, is an auspicious time for her personal prayers and requests to be granted.

This checklist is useful prior to immersion.  Complete understanding and observance of these laws necessitates in-depth study and subsequent review on a woman-to-woman basis, in private or group settings, with an open sharing of knowledge and experience.

As the waters of the mikvah embrace you, so may you be enveloped with Divine blessings in every aspect of your life.

Prerequisites for Immersion
  • Shortly before sunset, on the day your period ends (at earliest on the fifth day of menstrual cycle), make the initial internal examination, (Hefsek Tahara & Moch Dochuk ), using a soft white checking cloth..
  • Begin using white undergarments and bed linens.
  • On the morning following the successful initial internal examination, begin counting the Seven (7) Blood-Free Days.
  • Make the required daily examinations (Bedikos) particularly on days 1 and 7 (consult Rabbi if bedikos on these days were omitted.
  • Immersion takes place the following week, after nightfall, on the same day of the week a the initial examination. (Example: If the initial examination is completed on Sunday before sunset, the immersion will be the following Sunday night)
  • Call the Mikvah a few days in advance to check if an appointment is necessary and whether a preparation room, with a bath and supplies, is available.
  • If you are traveling, or are away from home, view our Mikvah Directory to find a Mikvah near you.
  • If the time of your immersion falls on the Sabbath (Friday night), Saturday night, or a Jewish Holiday, discuss the special preparations and arrangements needed for these occasions.
  • Prior to immersion, special precautions are taken to ensure that no intervening substances will separate any part of your body from the waters of the Mikvah.
  • Bandages, cast, stitches, temporary dental work, medical apparatus that is difficult to remove and unusual skin conditions require rabbinic consultation.
  • Cutting, shaving or waxing of hair should peferably be done a few days prior to immersion.
  • Questions concerning staining and other personal matters relating to mikvah observance are quite common.  The mikvah attendant, or your local Rebbetzin, can obtain confidential replies to private halachic questions, or refer you directly to a Rabbi experienced in discreetly addressing these sensitive issues.
The Day of Immersion
  • It is advisable to refrain from kneading dough, using glue, paint or any other substance which is difficult to remove
  • Meat and chicken should preferably not be eaten, except in honor of the Sabbath or a Jewish holiday.
  • It is best to begin your preparations before sunset.
  • One should not eat between the time of the bath/preparations and subsequent immersion. One may drink water.
  • As a practical suggestion, wear non-white underwear after immersion.
Suggested List of Items Useful in Preparation
  • alcohol
  • baby shampoo without conditioners
  • back brush
  • comb
  • cotton balls
  • dental floss
  • make-up remover
  • nail brush
  • nail file
  • nail polish remover
  • nail scissors
  • pumice stone
  • Q-tips
  • soap
  • tissues
  • toothbrush
  • toothpaste
  • toothpicks
  • tweezers
  • washcloth, sponge, loofah
Additional Items to Bring to the Mikvah
  • (Verify if the Mikvah supplies these items:)
  • Towel
  • Robe
  • Slippers
  • Contact lens case
  • Make-up
  • Blow dryer
  • Non-white underwear
Preparation Checklist

During your preparations, you may call on your Mikvah attendant for advice and assistance.

You can use the checkboxes beside each item to keep track of what you've done. If you would like to see a checklist including the timing to be allowed for each step of your preparation, please click here

Mikvah Immersion

Enter the Mikvah and immerse once. Then, (cover head), submerge body to neck, embrace yourself beneath your heart, and recite the blessing:

BARUCH ATAH A-DOH-NOI ELO-HAINU  MELECH   HA’OLOM ASHER KIDESHONU  B’MITZVOSAV  V’TZIVANU AL HAT’VILAH.

Blessed are You, Lrd our Gd, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the immersion

Immerse again following the blessing.

Immerse any further immersions, according to your custom.

Upon completion many women say the following:

Y’-HI RA-TZON MI-L’-FO-NEH-CHAH A-DOH-NOI- E-LO-HAI-NU VAI-LO-HAI A-VO-SAI- NU SHE-YI-BO-NEH BAIS HA-MIK-DOSH BI-M’-HAI-RAH V’-YO-MAI-NU V’-SAIN CHEL- KAI-NU B’-SO-RO-SEH-CHAH.

May it be Your will, L-rd, Our G-d and G-d of our fathers, that the Holy Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days, and grant us a portion in Your Torah.

The gates of heaven are now open to your private prayers.

There are important guidelines to proper use of the Mikvah. To ensure that all preparations and the actual immersion are all performed correctly, one should be advised by a reliable counselor. For a free and confidential consultation, please call 718-756-5700 or email us at mikvah@mikvah.org.