Constructing a Mikvah Entirely from Snow Where No Water is Available

Description

The Chasam Sofer rules stringently that a mikvah may be constructed from snow only if transported in wicker baskets with wide holes so melted water drains and does not accumulate three lugim of drawn water. After filling the pit, the snow must be melted using a heated iron plate and coals, not by pouring hot water over it, since pouring drawn hot water would disqualify the mikvah before the snow melts. He concludes that the overwhelming majority of Rishonim oppose the Rosh's lenient position, and one may not rely on that minority view regarding a prohibition carrying the penalty of kareis.