thank you for all your efforts
Regarding the mats utilized to stand in the river to prevent mud - chatzizos ??
Why are the mats not considered Kelim / Mekabel Tumah / like a rug and invalidate the tvilah.
Contrast to schach mats made davke for schach - but a bamboo mat not specifically manufactured for such is mekabel tumah and not used
thank you for all your efforts
Efraim Goldstein, USA
There is nothing wrong with having something that is Mekabel Tum'ah in the Mikvah at the time of Tevilah - even if one is touching the object during one's Tevilah (as long as it is not causing a Chatzitzah). Although the Ran does rule (41a) like Rebbi Yosi, that a Mikvah is not valid if its water is held in place by an object that is Mekabel Tum'ah, the mats of Shmuel's father were used for Tzni'us or comfort alone and not to hold the water in place.
With regard to Sechach, on the other hand, it is not permitted to use Sechach that is Mekabel Tum'ah. That is why there is a discussion regarding using mats for Sechach on Sukos.
Best wishes,
Mordecai Kornfeld