Mikvah

From ArticleWorld

A mikvah is a ritual bath in a purification ceremony within Judaism. In modern usage, it is primarily used by Jewish women to achieve purity after menstruation, or childbirth.

History

The mikvah was used by both men and women, for various reasons. At one time, everyone was required to go to the mikvah after coming in contact with the dead, or other ritually unclean objects, before entering the temple. Other situations that required one to immerse oneself in the mikvah included:

• Nazirites were required to immerse in the mikvah upon completing their vows.
• Lepers were required to immerse upon healing.
• Priests were required to immerse before performing certain Temple rites.
• Men were required to immerse after having a nocturnal emissions.
• Women were required to immerse after giving birth, or menstruating.

Requirements for immersion

Immersion requires that the water cover the entire body. All clothing and jewelry must be removed, and the hair must be combed straight, so that there are no knots. In the contemporary mikvah for women, there is always an experienced attendant to watch the immersion, and ensure that the woman has been entirely covered in water.

The mikvah

The rules regarding the construction of mikvaot are quite complicated. The immersion itself must take place in a spring, or well. Standard bathtubs cannot be used. Certain rivers, or lakes, can be used for immersion, but one should always check with a mikvah expert to be sure as to the status of a particular body of water. Standard bathtubs cannot be used. Rain water can be used, and is the source of most mikvah water today. Though a certain amount of rainwater is required, it may be augmented with regular tap water. This formula is frequently used so that the water can be eaailly changed. A pool of rainwater is connected to a regular bathing pool, and the duct is closed to empty, and replace, the regular water without having to replace the rain water.