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Mikveh in Jewish History and Observance
What is a mikveh?
The word literally means pool, or gathering of water, and appears in Genesis
1:10, when God gathers the waters on the third day: "And the gathering (mikveh)
of the waters God called Seas." It also appears in Leviticus 11:36 in the
context of rules for purification: "Only a spring and a cistern, a gathering (mikveh)
of waters, shall be ritually pure." There is an entire tractate in the Talmud
dealing wholly with the mikveh.
What is the basis of the mikveh in Jewish history?
Mikveh was used for ritual purification, not only for post-menstrual women,
but for men with certain conditions and for priests in relation to the Temple
rituals. Men have visited the mikveh for spiritual purification before the
Sabbath and Yom Kippur. Going to the mikveh was a requirement for brides and
converts to Judaism. Finally, it was the custom to wash new cooking utensils in
the mikveh when purchased from a non-Jew to make them kosher for use.
Is mikveh an important Jewish observance?
The rabbis said a community should build a mikveh even before building a
synagogue or acquiring a Torah. Indeed, it was permissible to sell a Torah in
order to build a mikveh.
What are the traditional uses of mikveh?
During the Temple period, mikveh was an integral part of Temple ritual.
Prior to ascending onto the temple mount, visitors were required to immerse in
one of several mikvaot located on the periphery of the Temple in order to
transform their spiritual state from tumah (impure/ritually unprepared) to
taharah (pure/ritually prepared). The priests were also required to immerse
prior to performing their priestly functions including sacrifices. After the
destruction of the Temple and its sacrificial system, mikveh no longer was
necessary for priestly purposes. However, it has continued to be used for
pre-worship purification, for brides and for converts. The largest number of
visitors to mikvaot are women observing the laws of niddah, who visit monthly.
Why did mikveh fall from common use?
The mikveh was one of the first areas of traditional observance to be
abandoned by immigrants to America, even among those who continued to observe
the laws of Shabbat and kashrut. There are several theories for why this
happened: facilities fell into disrepair and were thought to be unclean, there
were negative associations and memories of mikveh from the "old country,"
discomfort with what appeared to be the stigmatizing of women, a lack of Jewish
understanding of the mitzvah, liberal Judaism's abandonment of the ritual.
Why would someone go to a mikveh in our time, when private baths are in every
home?
Ritual purification is not about cleanliness -- in fact, one must be clean
before entering a mikveh. Immersion signifies a change in status and belongs to
the category of commandments known as chukim (decrees of God), where observance
is considered an act of pure faith. Immersion also requires a ritual intention.
It is not the water but the intentional act of immersion that transforms or
purifies. Finally, the maintenance of a mikveh is a communal, not an individual,
responsibility.
Women and Water
What is Niddah?
Niddah, which literally means separation, is the halachic practice of Jewish
couples refraining from sexual activity-and in some cases from any physical
contact-during a woman's menstrual period and for several days thereafter. Women
who observe this mitzvah (commandment) visit the mikveh on the night after the
seventh day of separation. After immersion they are able to resume sexual
relations with their husbands.
Is this a mitzvah that falls only to women?
Use of the mikveh is one of the three key positive mitzvot for women, the
others being lighting Shabbat candles and "separating" challah (discarding a bit
of the dough in memory of Temple sacrifices). The requirement of sexual
separation applies to both members of a couple. Interestingly, the three mitzvot
required of women all were originally roles of the Temple priests. Many writers
have interpreted the mikveh as a positive way for women to focus on their
bodies, gain respect, and concentrate on their own needs. In addition, many
women have benefited from the female community created at a mikveh.
Kashrut certification
Is Mayyim Hayyim a "kosher" mikveh? What makes a mikveh "kosher?"
”Kosher” means fit or proper. Mayyim Hayyim is a kosher mikveh and was built
under the rabbinic supervision of Rabbi Ben Zion Bergman. Rabbi Scott Rosenberg
provides ongoing rabbinic supervision. Each mikveh actually consists of two
permanent pools that are created from a watertight pit in the ground. The first,
smaller pool is called the bor (cistern/pit) and is filled with at least 40 "se'ah"
or 200 gallons of "living water" (water not drawn by human hands). In Mayyim
Hayyim's case this is rain water, and our bor contains about 600 gallons of
living water. This small pool serves as the source for a larger pool that shares
a wall with the bor. The larger pool is where one immerses; it is filled with
heated and treated tap water. However, at the beginning of each day a small
amount of "living water" from the bor is introduced into the larger pool through
a small opening. It is the mixing (or kissing) of that "living water" from the
bor with the larger immersion pool that makes the mikveh kosher. The mikveh must
be large enough for even a tall man to immerse fully.
Using Mayyim Hayyim
What does the mikveh look like?
Mayyim Hayyim's two mikvaot are beautifully tiled with natural stone. They
look like deep hot tubs, with seven steps leading into the water. A handrail is
provided for safety, and one of the mikvaot also offers a lift for handicap
accessibility. Natural light pours through dormer windows, preserving modesty
all the while. After sundown, light can be controlled to create a peaceful
setting.
Is the mikveh clean?
Mayyim Hayyim's pools are kept scrupulously clean. The water is filtered
through a special system that heats and purifies the water twice each day: once
in the late afternoon for approximately 4 hours and later in the evening for a
minimum of 8 hours.
How is the water purity maintained?
Mayyim Hayyim has a water filter/disinfectant system, installed in the
basement, through which the water to the two mikvaot flows. There is a supply
pipe and return pipe-much like a supply and return duct for air. The water is
treated with Ultraviolet Light which is an odor free and highly effective
disinfectant. Occasionally, depending on the number of immersions we have
provided during the day, we may add a small amount of Bromine to the water at
the end of the day. Bromine is also a safe and effective disinfectant.
What is the water temperature?
The water is a comfortable 85 degrees.
How big is the mikveh?
The immersion pool holds 1200 gallons and is large enough for a 6 foot-tall
man to fully immerse with his hands outstretched (six feet wide). The pools have
a shallow end and a deeper end for safe, comfortable immersion. When standing in
the pool, the water level is approximately at chest height for an average size
adult. The deck is large enough for others to be present: if for example, a baby
is being immersed for conversion -- held in the water by parents -- family and
friends can witness the ceremony.
Is it ever unsafe to immerse in a mikveh?
Immersion should not take place if one has any open cuts, sores or
communicable diseases (e.g. bronchitis, fever, etc.). It is customary not to
enter the mikveh while menstruating or spotting. Self-dissolving stitches are
permitted, but if stitches need to be removed, one should postpone immersion
until the stitches are removed and the wound is healed. Other questions can be
answered by Mayyim Hayyim's mikveh guides (madrichim), with consultation from
area rabbis.
Can I go in when I am menstruating?
Mayyim Hayyim recommends postponing immersion until the completion of the
menstrual cycle. However, according to Halachah (Jewish Law), a mikveh is "lo
mekubal Tumah" - that is, it does not become ritually impure. Therefore, a
menstruating woman does not render the mikveh ritually impure for other users.
What does immersion actually involve?
The formal ritual is simple and brief. Once in the water, the person ducks
under to be completely submerged for a moment or two, then recites a short
blessing. The person then immerses one or two times more, according to his/her
custom, recites a blessing, and leaves the water.
What are the rules for entering the mikveh?
You must be completely clean before entering the mikveh. Mayyim Hayyim
provides a private room where you can undress, remove all jewelry, wash,
shampoo, brush your teeth, and remove all obstacles (physical and symbolic)
between your body and the water. Mayyim Hayyim provides everything you need to
prepare for your immersion.
What if I have a body piercing that doesn't easily come out?
In general, the goal is to remove anything that separates you from the water.
However, if you have been wearing a particular piece of jewelry (or acrylic
nails) for more than 30 days, according to Jewish law, those are considered a
part of your body and do not have to be removed for immersion.
Will anyone see me naked?
That depends. When individuals immerse for conversion, Niddah, or some other
"mitzvah," it is traditional for a mikveh guide to act as witness to make
certain that every strand of hair is under water. In some cases (e.g. healing)
you may choose to immerse in private, with a guide waiting at the door for
safety and support.
Can I go in with another person?
Traditionally, mikveh is an individual, personal ritual. In fact one of
Mayyim Hayyim's guiding principles is "Tzniyut" which means modesty. When one
immerses at Mayyim Hayyim, one enters the mikveh area directly from the changing
room so that modesty is preserved. However, the pools are large enough for two
adults to immerse and, for example, we encourage both parents to participate in
the conversion of a child. In such a case, the parents wear bathing suits and
only the child is naked. Having more than one person in the mikveh at a time
does not render the mikveh "treif" (not kosher/proper) in any way. There are
other mikvaot designed specifically for the use of men, which are large enough
for 10 or more to immerse simultaneously. At Mayyim Hayyim, we request that only
one adult immerse in the water at a time, friends or family may stand on the
deck of the mikveh to offer support.
Will my visit be kept confidential?
Yes, absolutely.
Can I go to the mikveh after menopause?
Traditionally a woman goes one last time after her cycle ceases, to ensure
purity for herself and her children for the rest of her life. As Mayyim Hayyim
develops new and cutting edge reasons for mikveh use, we welcome all members of
the Jewish community of all ages and life stages who desire the spiritual
experience of immersion.
How often may I go to Mayyim Hayyim?
You may come as often as you like. However, all visits are by appointment
only, so please be sure to call in advance. Women traditionally come once a
month following menstruation. Men traditionally come weekly, prior to Shabbat
and major Jewish festivals. At Mayyim Hayyim, men and women come for a variety
of reasons – we have women who immerse weekly for Shabbat and men who come
monthly to support their wives in the ritual of niddah. Appointments for
conversion must be scheduled by a rabbi. Individual and Family Memberships are
available for $360 and $500 - these memberships include unlimited immersions for
12 months. (link to memberships)
Mikveh Guides
What is a Mikveh Guide?
Mayyim Hayyim has trained a group of thoughtful volunteers to assist our
mikveh users. The Mikveh Guide is present to answer any questions, provide
resources and offer reassurance. Traditionally, the guide is there to pronounce
that a total immersion has been accomplished and is "kasher" (proper). Male
users are assisted by male volunteers, and females by females. At Mayyim Hayyim,
those who have been trained for this role are called madrichot (f) or madrichim
(m).
View Information about becoming a Mikveh
Guide.
Is there a fee for the use of Mayyim Hayyim?
It is customary to give tzedakah (a charitable contribution) when visiting a
mikveh. Mayyim Hayyim's operating costs are covered, in part, by the
contributions of visitors. Mayyim Hayyim also invites congregations and other
Jewish organizations to become annual members. The suggested contribution for
immersions before Shabbat or holidays and for Niddah is $36. For life transition
immersions, such as before a wedding or conversion, the suggested donation is
$90.
View additional information about
contributions.
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