9. The Tevila:[1]

A. General laws:

The original custom of Taharah was to pour nine Kavin of water [see below for amount] onto the body of the deceased.[2] [The immersion of the body in a Mikveh was only done to those of extreme piety and prestige.[3] However, in today’s times, the custom is to immerse everyone in a Mikveh instead of performing nine Kavim.[4] Many Taharah rooms today contain a built in Mikveh for this purpose.[5] In a time of need that the body is not able to be immersed in a Mikveh, one is to pour nine Kavim of water onto the body, as was the original custom.]

The water: The water is not to be drawn by a woman, or gentile, or man who did not previously immerse in a Mikveh.[6] The water is to be drinkable according to Halacha, and is to be Kosher for washing hands in the morning.[7]

Removing Chatzitzas: Prior to the Tevila, or nine Kavin being poured, the body is to be washed and cleaned of all impurities, and intervals, such as bandages, and have dentures and the like removed. The sheet that was covering the body during the initial washing is removed during the Tevila or pouring.[8]

Kavanah and prayers:[9] Upon pouring the water over the body, or immersing it in the Mikveh, the Chevra Kadisha are to intend to purify the body through doing so. They are to recite the prayers printed in Mavor Yabok upon doing the pouring or immersing. A list of prayers is recorded at the end of this chapter.

B. How to immerse in the Mikveh:

It is customary to immerse the body three times in the Mikveh.[10] Some are accustomed to hold a sheet over the genitals throughout the immersion, in order so it not be seen.[11] The people holding the body should loosen their grip in order to allow water to flow in the area of their grasp.[12]

A Kosher Mikveh:[13] Initially, a Kosher Mikveh is to be used for the immersion. If this is not available, then a pool of drawn water may be used for the Taharah immersion.

C. How the pouring of nine Kavin is performed:

If one is not able to immerse the body in a pool of water, then he is to pour nine Kavim [12.5 Liters or 3.3 gallons[14]] of water over his body, as stated in A.

Position of the body during the pouring: The body is to be held in a standing position and have the water poured over his head.[15] The custom is to place wet straw, or a wet piece of wood, under the feet of the body prior to pouring the water.[16] If enough people are not present, then the body remains in a lying position on the Taharah board. Some communities are accustomed to even initially perform the pouring while the body is in a lying position.[17]

Pouring the water: Some are accustomed for the leader of the group to pour the water.[18] Upon the water being poured the Chevra Kadisha are to say “Tahur Hu” three times.[19] Many are also accustomed to say the Mishneh of Rebbe Akiva Ashreichem Yisrael.[20]

How many buckets of water may be used:[21] One may use up to 2 or 3 buckets of water for this purpose, pouring each bucket one after the other, if in total they contain nine Kavim of water. In such a case, one must begin pouring the second bucket prior to finishing the pouring of the first bucket, and so too one must begin pouring the third bucket prior to finishing the pouring of the second bucket. It is invalid to use four buckets of water for the accumulation of nine Kavim, [and hence if the first three buckets or last three buckets do not contain nine Kavim in total it is invalid].[22] Even when pouring from one vessel, one must be careful that the water continuously falls on the body without any interval at all. If one entered the body halfway into a Mikveh and nine Kavim were poured on his top half, it is valid. [See Q&A regarding shower.]

Q&A on Nine Kavim Can one perform “nine Kavim” in the shower? Yes.[23] One can do so by staying under the shower head for 3-4 minutes consecutively without turning the water off for even a moment in between.[24] One is to stand straight under the shower head with his hands weakly folded over his chest as explained next. It is invalid when one is lying in the bath.

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[1] See Nitei Gavriel 44:1; 45

[2] Mavor Yabok Sefas Emes 25; Chochmas Adam Hanhagas Chevra Kadisha 7; Kitzur SHU”A 197:2-3; Aruch Hashulchan 352:4; Gesher Hachaim 9:4

[3] See Gesher Hachaim 9:4-5

[4] Nitei Gavriel 44:1 that so is widespread custom today and that Chabad custom is to immerse everyone in a Mikveh except for the Rebbeim, on which we pour nine Kavim. Vetzaruch Iyun from Darkei Chesed ibid who makes no mention of immersing in a Mikveh by Taharah and only records the custom of nine Kavin. Rav Eliyahu Landau Shlita confirmed with me that the Chabad custom, as is the widespread custom, is to immerse the body in a Mikveh and only if a Mikveh is not available is nine Kavin done.

[5] See Gesher Hachaim 9:4 that in his days they only had one in Tzefas and Tiveria, from earlier generations

[6] Lechem Hapanim 352:4 from Seder Rechitza of Hillel Hazakein; Nitei Gavriel 39:9

[7] Gesher Hachaim 9:4; Darkei Chesed 11:12; Nitei Gavriel 45:15

[8] Gesher Hachaim 9:4

[9] Mavor Yabok Sefas Emes 25; Nitei Gavriel 45:2, 4

[10] Nitei Gavriel 45:6

[11] Nitei Gavriel 45:5

[12] Nitei Gavriel 45:7

[13] Igros Moshe Y.D. 3:137; Nitei Gavriel 45:20

[14] Shiurei Torah 3:30 writes that 9 Kavim is equivalent to 12.441 liters of water. The Piskeiy Teshuvos 88:5 writes that according to the Grach Naah [author of Shiurei Torah] one is to initially use 18 liters and 12.5 litters is only in a time of need. Vetzaruch Iyun as to his source, being that the Grach Naah explicitly writes 12.5 liters.

Other Opinions: The Chazon Ish rules that initially it is to be 23 liters and in a time of need 17.5 liters suffice. Others rule it is 11.3 liters. [brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid] Others rule it is 16 Liters. [Minchas Yitzchak 4:51] Nitei Gavriel 44:1 records 7-8 gallons, which is equivalent to 25 liters.

[15] Chochmas Adama Hanhagas Chevra Kadisha 7; Kitzur SHU”A 197:2; Gesher Hachaim 9:4; Darkei Chesed 11:10; Nitei Gavriel 45:13

[16] Chochmas Adama Hanhagas Chevra Kadisha 7 and Kitzur SHU”A 197:2 “floor or straw”; Darkei Chesed 11:10; Nitei Gavriel 45:9

[17] Darkei Chesed 11:10; Nitei Gavriel 45:13; See Gesher Hachaim 9:4 footnote 3 who protests against those who do it with the body lying down

[18] Nitei Gavriel 45:16

[19] Gesher Hachaim 9:4; Darkei Chesed 11:11; Nitei Gavriel 45:17 [writes to say after pouring]

[20] Nitei Gavriel 45:17

[21] Admur 88:1; 606:11; Taz 88:1; Olas Tamid 88:2; M”A 606:9; Elya Raba 606:11; Kitzur SHU”A 197:3; Gesher Hachaim 9:4; Darkei Chesed 11:10; Nitei Gavriel 45:14

[22] Admur ibid; Some Poskim [Bier Heiytiv 88] record 3-4 buckets are valid. This is a printing error. [Kaf Hachaim 88:6]

[23] Nitei Gavriel 39:10 in name of Darkei Chesed p. 273; Kinyan Torah 1:33; Tzur Yaakov 9; Chelkas Yaakov 3:61 Minchas Yitzchak 4:51; Vayaan Yosef 1:45; Divrei Yaatziv Likkut 13; Beir Moshe 6:74; Shraga Hameir 1:16; Sheivet Halevi 1:24; Piskeiy Teshuvos 88:5

Other Opinions: Some Poskim are stringent and disqualify the use of a shower on the basis that according to the Raavad one requires Koach Gavra to validate the nine Kavim. [Opinion of Mishneh Halachos 3:2-6; 3:8; 5:19-22; 6:23]. The vast majority of Gedolei HaPoskim ibid however rule it is allowed based on that we do not rule like the Raavad in this matter, and even according to the Raavad today that the nine Kavim is only a custom he would agree it is allowed. [Kinyan Torah ibid]

[24] Piskeiy Teshuvos 88 footnote 42 [This applies even according to the opinion that requires 23 liters]