By Adina Lipschulz
On our Tzfat shabbaton cohort three had the opportunity to explore the mitzvah of Mikvah within one of the most spiritual of cities in the Land of Israel. The males and females where split up to delve into the differences between in the Mitzvot between the sexes.
The Nachshon women were given an introduction to what the Mitzvah of Mikvah is all about from a woman named Sarah. She briefly gave us her backstory of how she ended up in Israel, in Tzfat, and at the Mikvah. She had a very long journey that led her here to this stage in life. Sarah explained to us how for Jewish women Mikvah is one of the three commandments special for us; the other two being lighting Shabbat candles and baking Challah every Shabbat. We learned about the many purposes of the Mikvah including it being used to complete conversion for those who want to become Jewish. The most frequent opportunity for women is after their menstruation cycle each month. Men also go to the Mikvah, however it is not directly commanded to them. They typically go Erev Shabbat or Erev Yom Kippur. For Jewish males the Mikvah is just a tradition, or Minhag, so they don’t say a blessing, while women do.
There were a few things that really caught me attention in our session with Sarah. She talked about how the Mikvah is something extremely holy, and how holy can also mean separation. After a womens period she waits 7 days then goes to the Mikvah, and only after this can she and her husband be intimate. In some cases they don’t touch from the beginning of menstruation until the journey to the Mikvah. This, to me, is such an interesting idea. This separation can create longing, but also a sanctity of touching within a marriage is rediscovered and constantly thought of for those who practice this. I feel as though physical contact with anyone is something we don’t think about, and just take for granted whether its a comforting hug, or sympathetic squeeze of the hand. This physical limitation, would in theory, strengthen a marriage in the sense that more communication would be necessary during the period of time when man and wife are not touching.
This also ties into other aspects of our shabbaton such as making our Tefillin. Talking about what makes something holy, and how something holy is created, is so interesting to compare to the Mikvah. In both instances natural items are required, things that we can only receive from G-d such as animal skin, the Shema, and rain water. Both Mitzvoth require intention, whether its committing to the time bound mitzvah, making the effort to go to the Mitzvah, or saying the blessing.
Another thing that occurred to me in our processing session with Aliza Zeff afterwards was how it is such a large debate in the Jewish community for women to put on Tefillin when they aren’t directly commanded, but for men, going to the Mitzvah is a Minhag when only women are directly commanded. Why is it so much easier and socially acceptable for them to practice a Mitzvah solely commanded to women while this logic does not apply in reverse for Tefillin. This also makes we wonder if in 100 years women putting on Tefillin will be a Minhag rather than a taboo societal action. Judaism is constantly changing, and with people who fight for different aspects based off their individual passions, hope for a more equal future is within sight, which is a comforting and inspiration thought to me.
