mikva lady clarification
Question
I’m very confused, first you say, “Please be advised that it is our policy and perhaps the reason for the establishment of this mikveh that each Orthodox rabbi decides halakhic issues for his congregants and followers.” Then you say in the same post, “However, I have been instructed by our rabbis that it does not necessarily mean that under all circumstances and situations a woman should be allowed to merely say she asked her rabbi without saying who her rabbi is and avail herself of our services without question. We have a responsibility to discourage women, in a pleasant way, who may have a personal opinion on some issue from choosing to decide to dip without asking a rabbi and just saying they asked. We have found on occasion that some women may rely on a rumor about some halakha attributed to a particular rabbi where her circumstances differ, or what she heard is not what he actually said. For example, one time a woman said her rabbi allows her to dip one night early – at the start of the seventh day at night and when we checked with that rabbi he said that he had said no such thing!” Rabbis, thanks for all your time. Rabbi Chaim, get off the site and get ready for the wedding! GH
Answer
Answered by Chaim Yisrael AbadiThank you I had the same reaction. As Rabbi Barry said in his post, they have some policies. That must be what she was referring to. The best way to deal with this situation is just say I’m going in whether you’re watching or not. If a lady wants direction from them, then she subjects herself to their policies (Halachot). It is this way in every Mikva in the world. If all the Mikvaot would first list their policies then ask for donations I wonder if they would make as much money. I know in Lakewood, there is no chance they would have made the money they made. As I always say, the best way is to have a Rov you “honestly” ask all your questions to, then you will be comfortable just going in. CYA