By Ari Friedman
When we first arrived in Tzfat I was extremely excited to be back in such a mystical city. The schedule noted a visit to a mikveh. Mikveh’s are ritual baths used primarily by women but are also used by men. I had entered a mikveh once in the Old City of Jerusalem before going to the Temple Mount. The experience was holy and one that I will never forget. Immediately upon seeing that we would have the option to enter the mikveh I was sure that I would take up the opportunity.
The men of our group were separate from the women and we toured the women’s mikveh where we saw a one-of-a-kind mivkeh suitable for women with various disabilities. This mikveh was specially designed to allow any woman to ritually cleanse in a luxurious (and clean) mikveh.
Afterwards, the men descended into a deep valley down hundreds of stairs built into the side of a mountain. At the bottom was a modest building that led into the natural mikveh which dates back generations. Some of us chose to enter the changing room and prepared to cleanse ourselves in preparation for Shabbat. I entered the small bath and was shocked how cold the water was. I dunked three times and recited a prayer. When I exited I was smiling and proud that I had participated in this holy experience that I do not often have.
I was pleased to learn that the mikveh is open 24 hours a day to allow any man to enter at any time regardless of his religious beliefs. Our guide even told us that Jewish men with tattoos may enter! I am excited for the next opportunity I have to enter a mikveh and recommend the experience to everyone!
