[Avodah] New [Chabad] Ritual Bath Opens in Northern Tel Aviv

[Harry Maryles]

On Mon, 10/18/10, Prof. Levine <Larry.Levine at stevens.edu> wrote [to Areivim]:
>  From http://tinyurl.com/29owmgg

>> Following approval from the Israeli government-sanctioned religious
>> council, a new ritual bath adhering to Chabad-Lubavitch standards opened
>> in the Northern Tel Aviv neighborhood of Hadar Yosef.

> Will someone please explain to me why the halachic standards that the
> rest of Orthodoxy follows are not good enough for Chabad? Indeed, what
> are the differences?

 From memory: 
 
Their method of Hashaka (connection -- which stems form the word Nishuk
-- to kiss) is diffferent than the rest of Klal Yisroel's. The problem
is one of Zochalin (flowing water) which Pasuls the Mikva.

The Eino Shuvim (usually rain water) of the Bor or 40 Seah is never
directly used for immersion. It is connected via a port to a clean
usually clorinated pool that is Mayim Shuvim (drawn water).

There is a Machlokes as to which is the better method, There are pluses
and minuses with each method: 1)The side by side that the rest of the
world uses or 2) the Bor Al Gabi Bor that the Shulchan Aruch HaRav uses.

I don't recall off hand the advantage of his method is (there is one I
just don't recall it) nor the disadvanage of Bor Kneged Bor ( again --
there is a disadbvantgae I just don't recall it) but the disadvantage
(which is why it is not universally used) is that many Psokim felt that
Hashaka via Bor Al Gabi Bor creates a situatioin of Zochalin -- which
Pasuls the Mikva.

Although the Metzius is not like that, we nevertheless are Choshseh for
that Shitah. The SA HaRav says there is absolutley no Zochalin and the
advantage of Bor Al Gabi Bor is therefore the preferable way of buildiung
a Mikva.

HM