A glass eye or contact lens in a mikvah

Hi,

We have said that ritual immersion in a mikvah requires that the water be able to reach every part of the body. An interruption between the body and the water is called a chatzitzah.

Parts of the body which are normally concealed (beit hastarim) must also be open to water, but an interruption only consittutes a chatzitzah if it is of the sort of material that normally adheres to a surface. Therefore, a glass eye does not constitute a chatzitzah.

For the same reason, contact lenses do not constitute a chatzitzah if one left them in while immersing, but it is appropriate to remove them before immersing if possible.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:104)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Fillings and mikvah

Hi,

We have said that ritual immersion in a mikvah requires that the body be exposed directly to the water, such that water could touch every spot. Any physical interruption is called a chatzitzah.

Neither permanent nor temporary dental fillings constitute a chatzitzah, so long as they are quality fillings, such that one could chew with the tooth and feel no discomfort.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:97)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Braces and mikvah

Hi,

Ritual immersion in a mikvah requires that the water be able to come in contact with all surfaces of the body. An interruption between the water and the body is called a chatzitzah.

Orthodontic braces do not constitute a chatzitzah if the wires are somewhat loose. There may be grounds for leniency even where the wires are tight; see the responsum for more.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:96)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Netilat Yadayim with dirty hands

Hi,

Washing one's hands ritually for bread is ineffective if one's hands are dirty. However, "dirty" means that there is a physical substance interfering between one's skin and the water. If one's hands are stained, as with ink, but the skin is smooth and exposed entirely to the water, then one may wash ritually.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:110)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Immersing utensils with temporary attachments

Hi,

Attachments which one expects to remove from the utensil, such as handles which were installed in a defective way, must be removed before immersion.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 202:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Immersing utensils with stickers on them

Hi,

The surfaces of utensils must be clean when the utensils are immersed in the mikvah. However, foreign materials that are on the surface do not disqualify the immersion, if:

1. People normally do not mind leaving there, and
2. The material does not cover the majority of the surface.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 202:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai