Tap water that comes from natural springs cannot serve as mikvah due to water pipe and pump system. I am interested then, how does the rainwater enter the bor? If it can not go trough pipes or filters, how is it done?
Asked
Active
Viewed 273 times
2
-
1Why do you think pipes are a problem? – Double AA Jul 09 '17 at 18:45
-
I'm pretty sure the only issue is having it sit somewhere before entering the mikveh; redirecting the water is fine, as long as it doesn't get caught on anything in the pipe. That's how most mikvaos are designed. – DonielF Jul 09 '17 at 22:35
-
Thank you for your reply, can I ask why is it problematic for rainwater to be caught on anything in the pipe? Doesn't the same thing happen in the spring/river? – Ana Jul 24 '17 at 11:18
1 Answers
2
Going through pipes is not the issue. The problem is if somewhere along the length of the pipe there is a slight dip or depression, elbow etc. That place causes the water to be gathered, and it then becomes "drawn" and is no longer rain or spring water. A mikveh is constructed in such a fashion that the rain water is directed with very carefully placed pipes that do not have a place water can collect.
An excellent resource is "Understanding Mikvah" by Rabbi Schneur Zalman Lesches. PDF is available here. See page 62.
-
1Notably, not everyone even agrees tap water is invalid for a Mikvah. – Double AA Jul 10 '17 at 01:38
-
Perhaps you are referring to this - https://judaism.stackexchange.com/a/79642/8593 Still the question seems to be from the point of view that holds tap water is a problem. – Jul 10 '17 at 01:45