Anyone who has become tamei, and anything that has become tamei (except for earthenware and food), can become tahor again through immersion in a mikvah. The laws of immersion (tevilah) are recorded in the Mishnah. However, the Torah uses different words to describe it. The verb used for a person purifying himself with water, such as a leper, is rachatz (wash). The instructions for the immersion of an impure item use the verb chibes (launder or clean). The Rishonim clarify that any time there is a reference in the Torah to washing or cleaning, it is talking about immersion in a mikvah.
One who is required to immerse in a mikvah must recite the blessing of “Al Ha-tevilah” (“Who has commanded us regarding immersion”). The reason that we use the expression “al ha-tevilah” (literally, on immersion) and not “litbol” (to immerse) is because litbol implies that immersion is an obligation. That would be incorrect. Immersion in and of itself is not an obligation; one is permitted to remain in a state of impurity (Rishonim).
What if a person forgot to recite the blessing? He still emerges spiritually pure after the immersion, since we rule that a mitzva is fulfilled even when its blessing is omitted (Geonim).
Ezra’s edict, that a man who had a seminal discharge was obligated to immerse in a mikvah, is no longer in effect. If a man does choose to immerse after a seminal emission, should he recite the blessing? This is debated by the poskim. Generally, however, the blessing upon immersing in a mikvah is only recited when a woman has immersed after giving birth or completing her menstrual cycle.
As a general rule, blessings are recited before a mitzva is performed (oveir le-asiyatan). However, there is a disagreement as to whether this principle applies here. Some argue that even though an impure person is permitted to make blessings, it is preferable for her to immerse first so that she can recite the blessing while pure. Others insist that the general rule should be followed, and the blessing should be recited before the mitzva is performed. Common practice attempts to integrate both these views. Generally, a person immerses once (emerging pure), then recites the blessing in a state of purity, and then immerses a second time. This way, the blessing precedes the second immersion and may be considered to be done over le-asiyato. All in all, a rather clever solution.
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