B. Should women immerse on Erev Yom Kippur?[1]

Women are accustomed to immersing in a Mikveh on Erev Yom Kippur.[2] This custom is followed even by virgins, [and other single women who are above the age of Mitzvos, and certainly applies for married women]. [However, some Poskim[3] vehemently oppose unmarried women immersing in a Mikveh, as doing so can lead to promiscuity.]

Married women who are within three days of marital relations:[4] A married woman who is within three days of having marital relations, then if she had relations in close proximity to her Mikveh night or her expected period, then she is not to immerse in a Mikveh on Erev Yom Kippur.[5] [See footnote[6]] If however, she is within three days of relations that did not take place in proximity of her immersion or her period, then she may immerse on Erev Yom Kippur. Prior to her immersion, she is to thoroughly clean out her vaginal area with hot water in order to expel all the seed from her body.[7] Women who are not within three days of marital relations are not required to clean themselves from possible semen prior to the immersion.

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[1] Admur 606:11-12; M”A 606:8; Mateh Efraim 606:8; M”B 606:21

Other customs: Women of Sefaradic origin are not accustomed to immersing on Erev Yom Kippur. [Nittei Gavriel 18:9 footnote 19]

[2] The reason: This custom is based on the reason mentioned above that the immersion is done for purposes of Teshuvah, which is of course applicable to both men and women equally. It is likewise due to reasons of Keri by married women, as evident from Admur ibid who requires them to clean out their vaginal cavity from semen.

[3] Sdei Chemed Yom Kippur 1:6, brought in Alef Lamagen 606:16

[4] Admur 606:11; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 607:9 for other opinions in this regard

[5] The reason: As these are times when she can become pregnant and the water can destroy the semen, and prevent the pregnancy. The explanation is as follows: A woman who is within three days of marital relations must wash her vaginal area prior to Mikveh using hot water in order to remove any semen, as if the semen is expelled within three days of relations, she returns to become ritually impure. However, when a woman is within three days of relations that is near her time of fertility, she cannot wash herself out as it will destroy the semen. Therefore, there is no need at all for her to immerse, as she may in any event return to become impure on Yom Kippur. [Admur ibid] The implication from Admur ibid is that only hot water, which a woman within three days of marital relations must wash her inner parts with is what, is forbidden during times auspicious for pregnancy. However, the actual immersion in cold water does not pose an issue.

[6] The above ruling in Admur 606:11 is recorded in continuation of the opinion who rules that the entire purpose of the immersion on Erev Yom Kippur is for Keri purposes. Vetzaruch Iyun if according to the second opinion [brought in Admur 606:12] who rule the immersion is for Teshuvah purposes, even these women are to immerse, and are thus arguing on this point as well. On the other hand, perhaps the second opinion is only arguing on the amount of times one is to immerse, and the custom for even non-married women to go. Vetzaruch Iyun.

[7] As otherwise their entire immersion may be useless, as if they expel seed within three days, they return to become ritually impure. [Admur ibid]

[8] See Nitei Gavriel 18:9 footnote 20 who writes that while Besulos do not immerse, divorcees and widow’s do immerse. Regarding the Chabad custom: I heard from Harav Eliyhu Landa that the custom by us is that Besulos do not immerse, and so I heard from Harav Braun of Crown Heights.

[9] Rav Poalim 4:16; Levushei Mordechai 1:123; Sugah Beshoshanim 28:4; Minchas Yitzchak 6:146; Nitei Gavriel 18:10

[10] Shiureiy Shevet Halevi and Koveitz Mibeis Levi 4:20; Rav Asher Lemel Cohen

[11] The reason: As this can lead to them having relations prior to the proper time.

[12] Minchas Yitzchak 6:146

[13] See Nitei Gavriel 18:11 footnote 22

[14] See Admur 606:11

[15] Why a woman should do Tisha Kabin (shower) if Mikveh is unavailable on Erev Yom Kippur: Although immersion in a mikveh on Erev Yom Kippur is primarily for the purpose of Teshuvah—a spiritual preparation equally relevant to both men and women—there is an additional halachic consideration regarding purification from Keri. In cases where a woman is unable to immerse in a mikveh, she should perform Tisha Kabin, which involves standing under a continuous shower for several minutes with the intention of purifying herself from Keri. While this practice does not fulfill the Teshuvah-related aspect of mikveh immersion, it still serves to purify her halachic state. This is especially pertinent for married women, as noted by the Alter Rebbe (Admur), who requires them to cleanse themselves from any residual semen prior to Yom Kippur. [See Admur 606:11-12; M”A 606:8; Mateh Efraim 606:8; M”B 606:21]