Women
Immersion in the Ninth Month of Pregnancy
Question
Shalom,
I would like to ask if there is a significance to immersing in the Mikvah in the ninth month before giving birth? If so, do I need to prepare like one does after the seven clean days??
Thank you very much!
Answer
Shalom,
Many women have the custom to immerse in the Mikvah in the ninth month without a blessing, as this is a Segulah (spiritual remedy) for the child to be protected from any incorrect sights that the mother may have seen during her pregnancy. There is no need to make any preparations, such as washing before this immersion.
Sources: In the book Neta'ei Geveril, Halakhot Niddah, Part 3 (Chapter 56, Section 19), this segulah is mentioned from the book Zechira and the book Segulot Yisrael, and it is also prevalent in several communities, including the holy city of Tiberias. However, it is also brought in the name of B'na Bayit by the Rebbe of Satmar, zt”l, and by the Rebbe of Lubavitch, zt”l, in the book Sha'arei Halakha U'Minhag, that they did not have a tradition regarding this practice. As further noted in the book Segulot Raboteinu (page 264), in the response from Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, that in Jerusalem they have this custom, without a blessing (see there further regarding whether one can perform this immersion during the Nine Days).
And regarding the note about not needing to make any preparations, etc., see Neta'ei Geveril there.
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
