In biblical times, entrance to a holy space was contingent on spiritual purity. Today, it is in sacred union alone that this law is enforced. Until the Holy Temple is rebuilt, it is in our bedrooms that we build the most hallowed of all hallowed shrines
i would like to compliment you, on your wonderful article and i want to praise how you were careful to stress the point that although we can offer ideas behind the mitzvoth, the bottom line is that these are not the "reason" for the mitzvah, and the real reason why we keep them is because they are the commandments of hashem. but i do have one thing to point out. you mentioned that our bedrooms are the holy of holies and therfore one must purify themselves before entering, hence keep the laws of niddah. but once again the "real reason" for mikvah, in regards to niddah is, because the torah says that a couple is forbidden to have relations while she is still in her state of niddah! eventhough they may be impure from other impurities (i.e. keri, mes etc.) they can be intimate. it is specificly niddah which happens to have a restraint on physical intimacy, which still applies today.
once again thank you for your beautiful article, may you have continued blessing in all your endeavors
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This article covers so much so well. It is extremely well written. The questions are simple and direct and the answers are thorough and insightful. I have just grown in my Yiddiskite. Thank you Chabad.org
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My marriage would not exist without, for one big thing, the Mikvah.
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I've never considered myself a feminist; in fact, I've made a point to identify myself as an anti-feminist as defined by Western terms of sexism. Rivkah did a brilliant job of expressing what it means within the observant Jewish context, which I found both intriguing & enlightening. While I swim fairly well above water, I am not fond of water, and the idea of complete immersion scared me to death as a bride. It still does...I dread immersing each month. Articles such as this one serve as a reminder to keep the faith, so to speak, and the focus of why I continue to go, even though the very human side of me fears going. Thank you for such a fine article.
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I have read a few books on the subject...I love the way Slonim(hope spelling is correct) is so honest and pragmatic in her approach to the subject...Some will love and some will not enjoy...She is not "sugar-coating" this for us.
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Sugar coating disgusting sexism in religion or claiming that you shouldn't apply the world sexism to something religious doesn't make the sexism any less damaging or abhorrent.
All major religions regard women with disdain and being a Jew doesn't exempt one from that.
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To Sugar Coating Aug 4/10 Ayle:
I disagree. All religions except Jewish and Biblical Christians regard women with disdain!
Islam treats all women with contempt.
Hindus regard women as 2nd class objects to be used.
American Secularists regard all women as competitors and sex objects to be jumped on at every opportunity.
Biblical followers of Almighty G-d are the worlds only people who respect and protect women and rescue them. It is built into a man's DNA to be on the look out to help the feminine gender.
Biblical observers are the only humans who believe in one man for one woman for life, even though it doesn't work out that way half the time.
The non-Covenant beings of the world are glorified animals in treatment to the feminine gender including their mothers.
Being a man, I see my faults of the early days as a boy and my mistakes but the Holy Bib is the only women liberator on earth that teaches men to respect girls and women. I do my best but many women cannot trust men.Stan
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