... The type of ear ailment that you describe in your letter sometimes results from eczema in the ear and the hole it subsequently causes.
If this is the case, then there are doctors who treat this ailment, healing it through a salve and ensuring that water does not enter the ear canal.
Understandably, the final decision regarding this matter is to be made by the doctor who is treating you.
(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XXII, p. 54)
With regard to [a woman's] piercing her ears in order to wear earrings (a form of women's decorative jewelry mentioned in
Tanach as something women would regularly wear and mentioned as well in
Shulchan Aruch,
Orach Chayim, chapter 303):
Surely the ongoing pleasure derived from wearing earrings by far outweighs the momentary discomfort caused by the piercing. Therefore, even an adult woman may pierce her ears.
Although there are those who wear earrings made for non-pierced ears, this is not that common.
Additionally — and this is of major import:
When one wears non-pierced earrings, there is a mild discomfort each time the earrings are placed on the ear and the ear is squeezed, [as opposed to the one-time discomfort of piercing the ears].
Nevertheless, you should ask for a ruling [regarding ear piercing] by a Rav who rules on matters of Jewish law.
(Shaarei Halachah u'Minhag, Vol. IV, p. 216)
You write about immersing in a
mikveh — that it has an effect on your health, [i.e., when the water enters the ear canal]:
Understandably, in such circumstances one is to inquire of a specialist. Also ask him what the result would be if — in absolutely necessary circumstances — you were to place wadding (previously immersed in water) in your ear.[45] What then would be the effect [of the immersion]?
(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XIII, p. 421)
Notes:
- (Back to text) See Darkei Teshuvah, Yoreh Deah, 198:6.
Advice