2063 —קרח מלאכותי במקוה, זהירות הלכתית, וגשם כברכה

B"H, 3rd of Nissan, 5713.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g veHaraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Morenu Reb Mordechai HaCohen

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 19th of Adar—which was received with a slight delay—regarding your question about whether to permit the use of artificial ice in a mikveh: It is known that there has been much discussion among recent authorities on this matter, and many permit it (see Shach on Shulchan Aruch section 31, Tiferes Yisrael, Divrei Malkiel, Achi Ezer vol. 3, Porat Yosef; in contrast to Yad David, R. M.M. Epstein, Darkei Teshuvah subsection 147). Nevertheless, it is difficult for me to involve myself in issuing a halachic ruling on this—especially regarding a mikveh where people strive to fulfill many opinions. Additionally, you mentioned that the Sephardic rabbi stated simply that it is forbidden; thus if you permit it, it will arouse wonder. Since surely the other mikveh still exists in your camp, you should repair it as much as possible and use it. Certainly Hashem will have mercy and rain will descend from Heaven and water the earth.

With the approaching festival of Pesach for us and all Israel for good, I hereby wish you and your entire household that you celebrate it with kashrus and joy in true freedom. Enclosed is what I wrote to someone else on this matter; it was included in a general letter.

It occurred to me that perhaps something is still lacking in your mikveh and this is holding back the rains. It would be worthwhile to check all its details again.

With blessings for the festival.

Summary

The Rebbe advises caution regarding halachic rulings on mikveh construction with artificial ice due to diverse opinions and community sensitivities. He encourages maintaining existing standards and suggests that careful attention to mitzvos can bring material blessings such as rain.