The Art of Sublime Needlework

Mishna, Tractate Mikvaos: If a needle is placed on the step leading down to a Mikva, and a person passes a wave over the needle; the needle becomes ritually pure.

A needle is used to stitch two fabrics together to create a garment. Spiritually speaking, the task of every Jew is to connect — to sew — physicality to G-dliness. A Jew uses his determination and strength to pierce a “hole” in the physicality of the world, and through it he threads a Mitzva, transforming the physical object into a G-dly garment.

In elevating the material world, however, one is exposed to outside, impure, influences. Therefore, G-d makes it possible for every Jew to maintain utmost purity. The “Mikva” He provides has a safe step from where the Jew can engage the world while remaining above it. By sprinkling the “pure waters of Torah” upon himself, he remains completely pure and holy.