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My Spiritual Voyage to Mikvah
By Staci Newman
| I stood in my fluffy terry robe and toss-away slippers, waiting. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, "What's a nice Reform girl doing in a place like this?"
12 Comments Posted
Great Article, looking forward to the next one.
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Wonderful article. Staci's reactions and emotions felt by many non-religious Jews. Very honest. Very emotional.
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Oh, you brought back some memories for me! The first time I ever entered a mikvah was for the purpose of conversion. I was nervous, shaking like a leaf (I was nervous and it was cold!)
Then the leader of our Rosh Chodesh group suggested we all go to the mikvah and both learn about it and then experience it as a spiritual moment; a one on one with G-d.
Like y ou, I found it moving and jo yful; yet very fulfilling s piritually. Although as a single senior I do n't have to;, I still go on special occassions. And yes, it does seem I step a bit closer to G-d on those occassions.
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So good described for someone who yet never had the experience of a mikvah.
Thank you
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Staci has demonstrated the courage to explore something that was new and unfamiliar to her. It appears she found peace and a connection to G-d that you only dream about. I admire her and hope her courage inspires others. I know it has inspired me.
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Kudos to you for" taking the plunge", to your Rebbetzin for inspiring you, and for the shomeret (attendant) who made you feel comfortable. Your candid writing about the experience will surely inspire others.
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There's an untold story here - how did "a nice Reform girl" end up at Chabad? What brought har - and her husband - to Chabad? Not an easy trip, I suspect.
(I'm also curious how the mikvah is "cleaned and sterilized after each user without the use of chemicals," but that's for another time.
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Your description brought tears to my eyes. It's amazing how women from any kind of Jewish background are connected through this utterly personal mitzvah. and now that you've seen how enjoyable this seemingly bizarre mitzva can be, why not give another mitzvah a chance to bring even more light into your life :)
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I am a single senior. My first experience with going to a mikvah was just six years ago. It was very uplifiting and fulfilling.
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I come from 3 generations of American Jews that ran away first from persecution in Russia and the next 2 generations just from being Jewish.
Our family found its way back and your article brought back the thoughts and feeling I had upon my first experiance in the mikvah. It was an emotional, spiritual and self illuminating experiance. It also brought me a connection with the generations of our family before that had kept this precious mitzvah and made many a sacrifice to continue it. thankyou
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My only mikvah experience was upon my conversion and after 14 years I can still recall every detail and my recall is always one of total joy. I miss the experience and these responses have encouraged me to realize that I need not continue to miss out on a spiritually fulfilling experience. Thank you all!
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