Tomb of Tana Hakadosh Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu
Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu was one of the first Tannaim (sages of the Mishnah era) and teacher of Rabbi Akiva
Hello and blessings
I am a patient with a PEG, [percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy] that cannot be removed, and it is also prohibited to enter the pool or the mikve in the first two months to avoid infections. What to do about immersion in the mikve?
Thank you
Hello and welcome.
First and foremost, a complete recovery and robust health!
To clarify the issue, it is important to mention that, in order to purify oneself, it is necessary to immerse in the mikveh; it is not possible to forgo this in any way.
What is recommended to do in a situation like this, where there is suspicion of contamination with the mikvé water? Take sterilized cotton moistened with sterilized water; it is also possible to mix it with medicinal alcohol for disinfection. The cotton should be well moistened [in an amount sufficient to make it damp, but not soaked], placed around the area where the umbilical cord connects to the belly, and dipped like this. [You should not stick the cotton to the body, but just wrap it and place it loosely around the connection of the umbilical cord with the body] It is also possible to hold it gently with your hand so that it does not fall out of place around the umbilical cord.
In this way, when the waters of the mikveh touch the waters of the cotton, there is a connection, and it is considered that the waters of the mikveh have also reached the point of connection between the fetus and the body.
It is clear that it is necessary to obtain the doctor’s approval for this solution and ensure that there is no risk.
Normally, doctors who understand the importance of immersion in the mikve do not oppose this solution.
Sincerely
Rabbi David Ohayon
PLEASE NOTE*
Attention: You should not learn from one case to another, each case must be analyzed individually. Generally speaking, it's always best to have contact with a Rabbi in person, not just virtual contact. Note that where there is a local Rabbi("Mara Deatra"), one should ask him. The answers are under the responsibility of the rabbi who responded, and not under the responsibility of the website and/or the Head of the Institution.
Last Articles
Tomb of Tana Hakadosh Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu
Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu was one of the first Tannaim (sages of the Mishnah era) and teacher of Rabbi Akiva
Jewish funeral / burial practice and customs
The Required Laws of a Jewish Funeral It is a positive mitzvah, ordained by the Sages, to accompany the deceased
The Tomb of the Tana Hakadosh, Rabbi Yosef Benaah
The Tana Rabbi Yosef Benaah (זיע״א) also called “The White Righteous One” or “The White Ari”) was known in his
The laws of the eve of Passover that falls on Shabbat (2025)
This year (2025) the fourteenth of Nissan (the eve of Passover) falls on Saturday, the chametz is checked by candlelight
A Guide for Converting to Judaism
Introduction Many people wish to join the Jewish people, but few succeed in completing the conversion process. Not all those
The prayer for the return of Hostages / Names for Prayer
The following is a formulated prayer from the famed Rabbi Cloanimus Kalimish Shapiro (Rebbe of Piacenza), who was killed on
You may interested
Resurrection of the Dead – The Process, When and for Whom All the Details According to the Sources
According to our Holy Torah, after the coming of the Messiah and the process of redemption of the world, the
