General Information
Scheduling
No appointment needed
Appointments only for Kallah or special arrangements
To schedule (Kallah/special only):
Call 443-990-0950
or
email bmikvah@gmail.com
Kallah/daytime appointments: $50
You can complete the anonymous form in advance to schedule for Friday night and Yom Tov evenings.
HILCHOS NIDDAH QUESTIONS
Questions may be called in or taken to the Star-K office during normal working hours. Rabbis Heber, Goldberg, and Frankel will be available to answer.
LOST & FOUND
There are many items in the Mikvah's lost & found. Please speak to the Mikvah attendant or receptionist to claim.
BEDIKAH CLOTHS
Bedikah Cloths are available for purchase at the Mikvah during regular open hours. They are also available at Shabsi's, Hats to Hose, and Seven Mile Market.
FAQs
Friday, Yom Tov & Motzei Yom Tov
My leil tevilah is Friday night or the first night of Yom Tov. When should I prepare?
All preparations should be completed Friday afternoon or Erev Yom Tov. No preparations are done at the mikvah on Friday or Yom Tov night.
My leil tevilah is the second night of Yom Tov. When should I prepare?
Preparations for second-night tevilah should also be completed Erev Yom Tov.
If I feel dirty, may I shower at the mikvah on Yom Tov?
No. Showering is not permitted. If necessary, one may rinse specific areas with warm water and soft soap applied by hand, then rinse.
My leil tevilah is Motzei Yom Tov. When should I prepare?
Ideally, preparations should be completed Erev Yom Tov. If full preparation is completed on Erev Yom Tov then a brief shower, re-combing hair, brushing teeth, and checking should be completed at the Mikvah on Motzei Yom Tov.
Some women choose to do all preparations on Motzei Yom Tov; in that case, a full uninterrupted hour should be allotted.
I have no one to watch my baby on Friday or Yom Tov night. What should I do?
Rabbonim advise that the husband should remain home with the children, and the wife should go to the mikvah.
Preparation for Mikvah
How do I prepare for the mikvah?
- From the onset of your period, wait at least five days, then perform a hefsek taharah before sunset
- Count seven clean days, performing two internal examinations daily
- Remove all makeup, nail polish, contact lenses, and anything that could be a chatzitzah
- Wash and comb all body hair; ensure no knots or loose hairs remain
- Trim and clean fingernails and toenails
- Clean ears, nose, eye corners, navel, between fingers and toes, and earring holes
- Bathe the entire body in a tub
- Remove dry scabs; if unable without bleeding, soften with warm water
- Brush and floss teeth and rinse mouth
- Shower at the mikvah immediately prior to immersion
- If using the restroom afterward, rewash as needed
Do not rush. If you discover that a preparation was overlooked after immersion, a Rabbi should be consulted, as a repeat immersion may be required.
If you are unsure how to perform a hefsek taharah, a Mikvah Attendant will gladly explain privately and carefully.
If I prepared fully at home, can I go straight to immersion?
According to halachah, one should shower in the mikvah facility immediately before immersion, so the body is wet upon entering the water.
Kallah (Bride Information)
I am a Kallah and need to schedule an appointment. What should I do?
Please call 443-990-0950 or email bmikvah@gmail.com and follow the prompts to arrange an appointment.
- A limited number of women (no more than a few) may accompany the bride
- No men, future husbands, or children may be present
- The Kallah’s family is responsible for leaving the mikvah and surrounding area clean and orderly
I am a Kallah and would like to learn about Family Purity. Who can help me?
Please call the special appointment number at 443-990-0950 and we will attempt to assist you.
Appointments & Logistics
Can I schedule an after-hours appointment?
Yes. After-hours appointments are available within a reasonable hour.
Please call 443-990-0950 and follow the prompts to arrange.
Where can I purchase bedikah cloths?
Bedikah cloths are available at the mikvah and can also be purchased at:
- Shabsi’s
- Hats to Hose
- Seven Mile Market
I have a hilchos niddah question. Who can I ask?
Questions may be called in or brought to the Star-K office during normal business hours.
Rabbis Heber, Goldberg, and Frankel are available to answer.
I lost an item at the mikvah. Where can I look?
Please speak with the mikvah attendant or receptionist. There is an active lost and found on site. After 30 days, any lost and found items are considered hefker.