Ask the Rov: How can a mikvah be filled in an area where there isn’t sufficient rain?
By Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin – Rov of Anash in Petach Tikvah
A mikvah must begin with 40 se’ah (approx. 120 gallons) of kosher water — rain or spring water — and only then may regular she’uvin (“drawn”) water be added. If even 3 lugin (approx. 4 cups) of she’uvin enter before there is a full 40 se’ah of kosher water, the mikvah is invalid.1
The rainwater must reach the mikvah without acquiring the status of she’uvin by passing through a receptacle along the way. Therefore, there are many details regarding the pipes used, including that they must be smooth and not contain any cavities or grooves. Various requirements also govern the design of the roof and gutter system from which the rainwater will flow down to the mikvah.
What if there is insufficient rainfall?
Halacha states that frozen water loses its she’uvin status and becomes a new entity that is kosher for a mikvah.2 However, some rishonim say that while it won’t invalidate a mikvah, it also can’t be counted as rainwater to create a mikvah from the start.3
Likewise, the Shulchan Aruch rules that an entire mikvah may be created from snow and snow isn’t disqualified as she’uvin even if “drawn” with a receptacle.4 While some rishonim hold that snow can become she’uvin,5 the majority of rishonim permit it, and the Tzemach Tzedek relied on this in combination with other factors and recalled how the Alter Rebbe did as well.
Though the Tur and Mechaber validate snow or ice even before it melts, the Rama says to use it only once it melts.6 Accordingly, one should not pour hot she’uvin water to melt the ice, since if it isn’t mikvah water until it dissolves, the hot she’uvin water will invalidate the mikvah before it contains 40 se’ah.7 While some held that applying heat makes it man- made (havayaso bidei adam), the Tzemach Tzedek and Alter Rebbe weren’t concerned for this.
Given all the questions and dissenting views regarding the use of snow, we avoid creating a mikvah taharah from ice or snow out of concern for the stringent views of the rishonim quoted above.8 In areas where there’s very little rain, a rov with expertise in mikvaos should be consulted.
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From The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash
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