Mikvah Booklet 3 last changes · Total Immersion: A Mikvah Anthology by Rivkah Slonim Mikvah Booklet 3 last changes.qxd 2/13/1950 7:25 PM Page 11. Experiencing the flow of the ritual

Mikvah Booklet 3 last changes.qxd 2/13/1950 7:25 PM Page 1




According to Torah,true love between a

husband and wife is more thanthe sum of its parts. Truelove requires strength,forgiveness and a willingnessto share. True love is aboutreaching out, becoming onewith another, and returning toone's self, touched and reborn.


These are the timeless Jewish wedding-dayblessings bestowed on the bride and groom.According to Jewish tradition when weallow the natural rhythms of our bodies to beour guide, the blessings of our wedding dayare renewed each month.


Our ancient wisdomcounsels an awareness

of the variations in a woman'smonthly cycle. A period isan elemental sign that signalsa time for focus on self, spaceand separation. When it istime to return to physicaltogetherness, a womanimmerses in a mikvah, a ritualimmersion pool. This marksthe transition into the joys ofintimacy.


"When my husband and I are apart, beforeI have immersed, I actually notice thefeeling of joy and excitement building. It ishard not to think about the approaching daysof togetherness. I feel at once protected andin control."Rachel F.

"Preparing to go to the mikvah is a time setapart from every distraction so I can focuson elevating my whole self–body, mind andemotions. It's a chance for me to be calm andordered, while experiencing the growinganticipation."Lisa S.


Pure air. Pure water.Physical purity is key

to the health of our bodies.Spiritual purity is key to thehealth of our souls. This is astate of being that ourtradition says can be attainedby every married Jewishwoman, no matter her age. Anatural body of water such asthe ocean, or the rainwaterthat is collected in a mikvah,are the means by which spiritis transformed and becomespure.


As we submerge in the clear mikvahwaters, we are suspended in time and

space, between past and future. Reborn, wesurface…


"…the mikvah alsoprovides a powerful way to

get in touch with yourself as awoman, to sanctify yourbody's cycle, as a humanbeing who's part of a universethat has its own cycles. Justas we can celebrate thewaxing and the waning of themoon, we can celebrate ourbodies, not degrade them".

Pamela Steinberg, Renewal, taken fromTotal Immersion: A Mikvah Anthologyby Rivkah Slonim


Experiencing the flow of the ritual ofmikvah connects us with an essential

part of who we are: the private, inner self; thespark of divine within. Ultimately, byimbuing our modern lives with our ancienttraditions, we strengthen the connection toour life source, God.


Underneath the buzz ofour active lives,

there's a sweet space whereour hearts live. We each havethe ability to reclaim thisbeauty and joy through ourJewish legacy of mikvah.


Mikvah Mei Menachem in Ormond Beach, Florida Photo: Courtesy of Mikvah.org

Just one of many state-of-the-art Mikvahs in communitiesthroughout the United States and around the world.


Resource Guide

To learn more about mikvah, or to schedule a visit to one, contact your

Orthodox synagogue, local mikvah or outreach organization.

Reading suggestions:Total Immersion: A Mikvah Anthology by Rivkah Slonim

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The Secret of Jewish Femininity by Tehilla Abramovi

Waters of Eden by Aryeh Kaplan

On the Web:To explore the sacred observance of Mikvah,

or to find the mikvah nearest you,log on to the Mikvah Directory at Mikvah.org.

Discover the guidelines for using a mikvah at Yoatzot.com.

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For information about building a Mikvah in your town contactMikvah USA at 718-437-PURE (7873) or [email protected].

Concept and Text by C.R. ZwolinskiDesign: Viktoriya Tselnik

Project Consultant: Rivkah Slonim

Ancient Springs; Modern Livesis a Mikvah USA publication


MIKVAH USA1461 42nd Street

Brooklyn, New York 11219718-437-PURE (7873)[email protected]


Documents

Mikvah Booklet 3 last changes · Total Immersion: A Mikvah Anthology by Rivkah Slonim Mikvah Booklet 3 last changes.qxd 2/13/1950 7:25 PM Page 11. Experiencing the flow of the ritual