552 —שאלות על בניית מקוה וחומרות הלכתיות

B"H, 21 Kislev, 5710.

Haraha"g vavaha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"m etc. Moreinu HaRav Yosef.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In due time I received your letter from the 15th of MarCheshvan, with the instructions you received from the Rebbe Rayatz regarding the mikveh issue. Immediately upon receiving it, I sent a copy of part of your letter to the inquirer, of course mentioning your name, and enclosed is also such a copy.

What requires clarification at first glance: a) If two mikvaot are built side by side—there is always the ability to check that the required measure in the rainwater mikveh is not lacking (since each day some water is absorbed into the ground in an unnoticeable way, or because part of the mikveh fills with dirt and similar). This is not so when they are one above the other; and often hot and cold water are added to the upper mikveh regardless, so it may take some time before it is noticed that water is missing. b) Regarding section 10: that [the water] should rise onto the floor. Perhaps one could say the reason is so that three logim of city-supplied water do not collect in a low place in the upper mikveh before the waters connect. In any case—when they want to clean only the upper mikveh without cleaning the lower one, how should they proceed? c) Regarding section 16: immersion by stretching out one's whole body. Seemingly this is difficult because water lifts a person up and one must hold onto something—and note from "Tikkun HaMikveh" by Admor HaZaken: "And with her hand she should hold...", which causes creases. And what was strict has become lenient. d) Regarding section 19: into the ground of the courtyard intentionally. I did not understand this phrase or its intent. e) Regarding section 14: measure of a mikveh as 966 liters. It is somewhat surprising that after all these stringencies mentioned above, they did not wish to satisfy those who increase the required measure for a mikveh up to about 997.5 or even approximately 962 liters (see Tal Talpiot for year 5666 sec. 8, also quoted in Kitzur Shulchan Aruch by Rabbi Feldman; see also Yoreh Deah sec. 201:27 Darkei Teshuvah—not currently in my possession). Thank you in advance for your explanations and comments—on all these points.

The key has surely already been received; thank you if you inform me of any comments about it or additions etc.

Signed with wishes for "Kislev-Tes-Vov Simchah." Regards to Kovei Beis Binyamin.

M. Schneerson

I have just obtained Darkei Teshuvah as mentioned above. According to his explanation in Chatam Sofer it should be 919 liters. This has already been discussed in Shiurei Torah sec. 61 (which is most lenient), Arugat HaBosem and Sefer Netivim B'Mei HaYam vol. III sec. 23—recently printed in Eretz HaKodesh.

Summary

This letter explores practical and halachic issues concerning mikveh construction and usage, emphasizing careful adherence to stringencies while seeking clarity on unresolved points—a model for thoroughness in fulfilling mitzvot.