Spring in a Pool Sealed with a Plug

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Question

What is the kosher status of a spring for immersion? For Torah-level immersion (not for Niddah) A spring that flows continuously over the ground into a large mikvah pit at the bottom of which there is a plug that essentially keeps the water from escaping. Once a week, the plug is opened, and the pit is emptied of the spring water that continues to flow all the time. After cleaning, the plug of the immersion pit is closed again, allowing it to refill with spring water.

Answer

Hello,

If the plug is made of a material that can become impure, [for example: a piece of cloth, a vessel with a receptacle, etc.], it is forbidden to immerse there, because the water is held by something that can become impure. However, if the plug does not become impure [for example: a block of wood or plastic without a receptacle], it is permissible to immerse there.

[In a mikvah made of rainwater, there is an additional issue: if the plug is not tightly sealed, it is forbidden to immerse there, because the water is 'flowing'. However, in a spring connected to a source, there is no problem with the water flowing].

Source

Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, Siman 201, Se'if 2. There, Se'if 50.

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