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Is the Mikvah Modest? | Modesty at the Mikvah | Orthodox Jewish Mom (Jar of Fireflies)
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- čas přidán 14. 07. 2021
- I was asked by so many people how it could be modest to be in the mikvah with rabbis in the room for my conversion. Yes, I was naked in the mikvah. Yes, the rabbis were all men. So how can this be modest? In this video I will start out by talking briefly about what exactly mikvah is, then I will go into detail about my mikvah experience during my conversion to Judaism, as well as talk about when I was a mikvah attendant for a woman who converted, and finally I will talk about how modesty is achieved when a women goes to the mikvah with just women, and briefly how we did it during Covid.
Hello and welcome! My name is Chana, I’m married to my best friend, and we have three wonderful children together. We also happen to be Orthodox Jews and we homeschool our kids. This video is a sneak peek into our daily lives :) You can see how this particular Jewish homeschool mom sets up her days, rolls with the punches, and gets it all done. Thanks for watching!
Part 1 of my Conversion to Judaism story: • My Conversion to Judai...
Part 2 of my Conversion to Judaism story: • My Conversion to Judai...
Part 3 of my Conversion to Judaism story: • My Conversion to Judai...
Q&A about my conversion to Judaism and Jewish conversion in general: • My Jewish Conversion Q...
#Jew #WITL #JewishLife #OrthodoxJew
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p.s. Please like this video if you enjoyed it, it really supports my channel and helps me see what kind of videos you want to see more of. Thank you!
If you have any more questions, let me know! I’ll try to answer anything I can here in the comments ❤️
I look forward to another video on the monthly mikva visits! I've never had to do that. By the time I returned to Orthodoxy, I was a widow and, somehow, I've not yet remarried. Bezalt Hashem, I will one day!
Now, even if I do remarry, I'm past the point of monthly visits but would still love to learn about it. G-d willing, I can help my granddaughters!
@@chayastaub-krell6601 You would still go before the wedding! Beerzrat Hashem you will get married soon!
@@jaroffireflies Amen!
I think that you are amazing!
@@dtanzman5 thank you so much!
Thank you. I am Jewish but have never been to a Mikva. I find it fascinating!
So glad that you enjoyed this!
I'm binge watching all your video's at the moment. You're an excellent communicator and you make your video's so interesting and easy to understand. Really fascinating and incredibly informative.. Thank you so much.......
Wow, thank you so much for your kind words! And welcome! I am so glad that you are here :)
I love your personality and your passion for your faith. It's wonderful to see....
I absolutely loved hearing about your own conversion experience and can only imagine how amazing it must be to witness the conversion of someone else. The idea of placing the sheet onto the water is such a smart idea. Although I'm not Jewish, I am disabled and am so so happy to hear that they have accommodations for people of all physical abilities. I have recently discovered your channel and cannot stop watching!
Thank you so much! 💜💜💜
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh okay - makes way more sense now. They don't all stand there and watch you naked walk into the water. Phew! I love the immersion in the water. This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
So happy this gave you a better understanding:) Thanks for watching!
This was *very* interesting to me as a Christian to see the connection between the mikvah in conversion to Judiasm and baptism in conversion to Christianity, especially the dunk verses sprinkle debate. I was raised Baptist myself, so when I was baptized, it was of course by full emersion.
I was thinking the same thing.. I was originally sprinkled in a lutheran church and then when when we were briefly Baptist I was rebaptized rebaptized by being dunked. Very confusing to a child but different denominations feel differently. But I did feel a very similar correlation correlation to what she's saying. "The old is washed away in the new has come" basically
@@jennifercleveland5703 of course we were clothed when we were baptized. I wonder what the procedure was in Jesus' day?
@@arielklay23 the Bible isn't very clear, but since most Christian baptisms are done in front of people because it's an outward profession of our inward faith, I would hope the people are clothed lol At the baptism where I was dunked, I got super nervous and when I get nervous I laugh and it was a pretty huge church. As soon as he dunk to me I started laughing and water spewed everywhere. I was hoping being so far away on stage nobody noticed but the 1st thing my dad said was what was wrong with you up there and you should have seen the look on the preacher's face when he pulled me up. Lol
Same here. Church of Christ, full immersion, we had a thick white garment designed for baptism. It was pinned between the legs so it didn’t float up. They held a white folded handkerchief over your nose and mouth when you were immersed.
@@arielklay23 He was baptized by Immersion, because He left that example is why some denominations only consider Immersion baptism.
I absolutely just love learning from you. You have such a sweet spirit!
Thank you so much! That is such a beautiful compliment 💜
@@jaroffireflies I’m swear I’m going to make those morning glory muffins soon! Every time you make them, my mouth waters.
@@carrieann5714 Those are my FAVORITE!!! They are so good! I like to save some in the freezer, so I can pull a couple out to snack or thaw for breakfast :) they freeze very well :)
@@jaroffireflies do use the bob’s red mill GF all purpose baking blend with them?
@@carrieann5714 yes. I’ve used other 1 for 1 blends also and they have all worked fine :) have you seen the video where I make them and talk about what I’m doing & the recipe?
Very thorough explanation! How interesting! A video on marriage customs/laws and the mikvah would be fascinating! I have read a little bit about the abstaining from contact, the almost honeymoon like experience of coming together again after the mikvah etc but of course just via google, it would be great to hear about it from you! You’re so great at explaining things!
Thank you so much! I do plan to talk more about mikvah during marriage but I hadn’t thought about talking about how we act before marriage! I’ll need to get that info out there as well :) Thanks!
@@jaroffireflies and, maybe, during the niddah time as well?
@@chayastaub-krell6601 Yes, another great topic that could be tied in here!
I love all the things I'm learning about Judaism from you! Thanks and keep them coming!
Thanks Betty
I love your conversion videos so much! I'm on my own conversion journey, and I can't wait to visit the mikvah. 😍🥰💜 Thank you!
Glad you like them! Thank you for your kind words. Best of luck to you!
There is such beauty in the rituals you describe. That is something that, I personally feel, is lacking in many spiritual traditions. We are the poorer for it.
We did the sheet! I love that you are explaining this for folks and love that you were able to act as an attendant for your friend!
That’s so cool that you had the sheet! It’s such a brilliant thing really :) It was very cool to be my friend’s attendant for sure!!!
But orthodox don't have sex through holes in sheets.
Thank you for this! I had been wondering about this very thing after watching your three conversion videos!!!
What a great video. I love how you explain things and it's so fascinating to learn about different religions.
Thank you so much! I am so glad you are getting so much out of these videos :)
I'm so glad I found you. Everything is so interesting. Thank you
Thank you so much!
The Mikvah I went to had separate Mikvahs for men & for women.
A lady Rabbi was present (Conservative Judaism), to made sure the dunks were Kosher, and my lady attendant assisted me with the towel, as yours did. The next step was to shower & change, then go to a separate room where the three Rabbis were seated. Most important of all, it was a very spiritual experience.
My conversion was done in the state of FL. so it was possible to have the option of using the ocean. But it seemed like such a hassle with the sheet and trying to find a beach location without people and the added problem of whether the weather would cooperate ( can’t have ocean current problems on that day), so I opted for the indoor mikvah. So glad I did; It’s so much nicer, private and spa like.
That’s cool that you had the option! I met a lady who converted in the ocean. I thought it was neat :) But ya, the indoor mikvah is much more private!
That would be cool to do it in an actual ocean. Do you get the option each month? I think that would be a spiritual experience to try at least once.
I really enjoyed the video and hearing about your time in the mikvah for your conversion. Thank you for sharing. It was very interesting. I look forward to your videos. Also would like to see a video on your engagement and wedding. 🙂Its fascinating to learn about your culture.
Thank you so much! I found my wedding album so I am looking forward to making a video about that!
There’s a video on Oprah’s channel where she visited a Hasidic community in NYC and they actually let her tour a Mikvah, if anyone wants to see one.
Theres also a nice video by Jew in the City about Mikvah and doing like a walk through of one.
Thank you for this great video! Please do another for the mikvah one week after periods and its meaning💜
I will definitely do a video on this topic! Thanks for the suggestion :)
The mikveh seems like such a beautiful experience. I cannot wait for if / when I can go one day.
Loved this video (like I do all of your videos)! I've always had so many questions about it.
Early on, you mentioned the handicapped-accessibility, in the home, it's called a stair-lift so it's probably the same in a mikva. That's really good to know. I imagine that not all mikvas have it but good to know that it's a possibility.
I am so glad you enjoyed this! There seems to be very little information about it out there online. Definitely not all mikvahs have things like a chair lift, but they are definitely available in some :)
Hi Chana! I haven’t even watched the video yet I just Had to tell you that every time I’ve seen you wear a black scarf it just brings out your eyes so much! Like two little topaz pieces!!!! I just wanted to pop in and share that I think you look really beautiful, :) ok back to the video!
Thank you so much 😊
@ You Tubd that is so true.
I'm ffb but this is something that I always wondered about with people who convert.. Thanks so much for clarifying whats going on when it's time for the men to come into the Mikvah room & then dipping!
Sure thing! Glad this helped you understand:)
Good to know as I want to convert to Judaism. Originally I thought I was Jewish but 23&me took me from a few percent to none. I’m not giving up.
You should rely on your family history, not DNA tests for whether or not you are Jewish. Definitely chat with a Rabbi!
It depends on if your mother is Jewish or not. If your mother is Jewish, you are Jewish. If your mother is not Jewish, you are not Jewish.
I never knew about mikvah until I visited the Jewish baths in Siracusa Sicily a few years ago. They date back to before the second world war and are amazing. As well as the explanation from the guide. It's history! If any of you have the chance to be in Sicily put it on your bucket list, it's worth it. P. S. I'm a Catholic American living in Sicily a
How very cool!
I'm learning so much about Judaism from your channel. The only time I heard about the Mikvah before was that scene in SATC when Charlotte converted.
So glad you are learning! Tv shows don’t always do the best representation of my culture and religion
@@jaroffireflies I totally understand that. The Jewish community in my country is quite small so I don't personally know any Jews and that's why my limited knowledge of the religion is from school and film/TV. But I'm very much enjoying your vlogs about your life. Keep it up, you are doing a good job 👏
“And I’m Jewish..😅 yay😅🎉”. You are a doll. Love your sweet spirit
😊 thank you
Wow, I've been watching so many of your videos, and this one again is SO interesting! thank you
So glad you enjoyed! Thank you for watching!
Im muslim and i support you im your cousin from ascendant of your uncle ishmael and our grandfather ibrahim peace be upon all of them
Thank you
@@jaroffireflies you are welcome sister may god bless you
This is a tiny bit like the process in Lourdes, France. I know you were raised RC Chana so thought you might find that interesting!
This is all fascinating.
I first read about mikvah's when I read the Ladies Auxiliary by Tova Mervis( who has since left orthodoxy) . The mikvah in her community sounded quite spa like. I think the rules of orthodoxy do make marriage a bit more exiting and honeymoon like!!
How interesting! I haven't heard of this book. I'll need to look it up. The mikvah is what you make it. But yes, it does set up the marriage to be like a perpetual honeymoon :)
Thank you for sharing with us on your videos. As a Christian living in a small town I have had little opportunity to have much knowledge on the Jewish religion. Do you have to go to the Mikva each month? Do you and your husband teach your children Hebrew? Are your kids speaking Hebrew? What is the difference between a temple and a synagogue? Thank you.
Thank you so much for watching! Jewish women go to the mikvah after their period, so not exactly monthly but depending on that. We do teach our children Hebrew. My children are bilingual Hebrew and English. Temple is the word used generally by Reform Jews. Synagogue is the word used by conservative and Orthodox Jews. Though Orthodox Jews more often call it Shul
I think it’s interesting you still need a witness after your conversion. I’d appreciate another video as well.
What did you want another video on?
@@jaroffireflies the Mikva after your cycle. Also do men use the Mikva? I enjoy all your videos very much!
@@vegitalian285 thanks! Yes, I will be. And yes, men do use the mikvah, but for different reasons.
@@user-bw3fl7fj9w oh no, not that I have ever heard of. Generally mikvahs are either for only men or only women. Or there will be specific hours for men and for women if there aren’t 2 mikvahs.
You need an attendant when you immerse to ensure that the immersions are thorough. She's also on hand to assist those who need it, e.g. disabled women, and to act as a lifeguard in the event that something G-d forbid goes awry. Many women are afraid of water yet, despite their fear, they go faithfully every month.
Great explanations (again) on everything. I have managed to avoid the 'struggle bus' this week lol. Have a great shabbas.
Thank you! So glad to hear your week has gone smoothly :) :) Shabbat shalom!
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing this information.
You are so welcome!
This was fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing.
You are so welcome!
Informative. Educational. Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed!
I know that you explained a little about the difference between being a Sephardic Jew and an Ashkanazi Jew. My question is about the Hasidic Jews. When I was a teenager, we lived near a community of Hasidic Jews and I was fascinated by how the men dressed and some of the customs I saw (like standing over water on a particular holiday). Could you tell me about what makes them different. I assume they are all Orthodox. I can’t remember seeing any women with the men. How do the women dress and how is their life different from yours? I love that you are doing these videos for us! I have had questions for years about different aspects of Judaism.
Hi Toni! I would have to do some more research before answering your question :) We all observe the same laws, but there are community customs and stringencies that we all take on.
You have a very soothing tone to your voice❤️
Thank you!
Hi Chana, thanks for making this I was very confused how it all went down so to speak! Have been learning various kinds of circles but also at a lot of Chabads consistently since 2010. It made me worried in the first explanation. Reminded me of some issues with people in the past recording rooms so I'm glad that not idea for everyone's comfort level you have had good experiences. Lots of love and light from your internet pal! Sarah Elisheva
PS I grew up in a very small town with no other Jews so thank you for opening your home to teach and show how you like to do things.
Hi Sarah Elisheva! I am so glad this video was helpful in making it more clear for you :) There is definitely not a lot of information on the topic available out there online. And you are very welcome :) Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you for explaining it, I was wondering.
Absolutely! My pleasure:)
Thank you for answering my question!!
Thank you for asking it! 😊
The issue of modesty goes for the men in a different way they are not supposed to look at women in that way.. the laws that I have researched about this are for both to protect both men and women.
This is wonderful! ❤️
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed it :)
Thank you, I was curious about that
You are very welcome :)
Thank you this was very interesting. However I am wondering if chemicals are allowed in the water such as with a swimming pool I would think maybe not. And also where does the rain water come from if there's no rain. For example here in California we are in a terrible drought and we have had one and a half rains this year; one of them was a Sprinkle. Would a well system count because the waters from beneath the Earth?
There are ways to get water to a place without much rain, I’m not super familiar on all that but it can be done :) I’m hoping to do some mikvah tours soon where I can get into all that technical stuff :)
Yes, chlorine is standard in the mikveh:)
@@SL-qu3rx thank you Sarah L!
I would like to know more about the Orthodox rules of intimacy between a husband & wife.
Such as the sleeping in separate beds, the reasons for the post menstrual mikvah.
Hi, thank you so much for the very informative and fun videos you create. They are very informative!! I have a question about the water in the Mikvah (I hope I asked that right). You said that it has to have at least 200 gallons of RAIN water in it. I live in Colorado and here it is illegal to collect rainwater!! Is there a religious exception for this or an alternative? I understand if you don't know, as stated are all so different. Side question, why is it required to be rain were, how/ if it is/ is it sanitized after each conversion?? How is the integrity of that water kept? To make sure that no non rain rate has been added or that the water remains pure? In assuming that no chlorine is allowed due to the rain water requirement. Forgive me for a what probably been 2 questions stretched into multiple.. bad habit... and so sorry if this is an issue that has already been discussed. I only found your Channel about a month ago, so have a lot of catching up to do. And having been raised in the Mormon faith there are many similarities and many that aren't. I was always find it interesting to learn about other cultures/ religions/ etc. Take care. Stay well.
Great questions! Unfortunately, I don’t know the answers. Mikvah construction is a very complex area of Jewish law that I have not studied :)
Rain water is used because it is a "living water" as is a lake, river, or ocean. The rain water is collected in a cistern and then closed. The rain water is not the actual water that is immersed into, but instead it is connected to the immersion pool by some sort of small opening. At the mikvah I use, there are several holes in the wall of the immersion pool of about 3 inches diameter that connect to the cistern where the ram water is kept. Therefore the rain water and the "pool water" are allowed to mix. The immersion pool is heated and chlorinated, just like a pool. It feels like going into a hot tub, but maybe not quite so warm. Very comfortable and clean. Once you have the required amount of rain water, it is ok if the water is diluted by as much other water as needed to keep the mikvah full. I'm not sure about places where rain water collection is restricted, but I assume it would still be allowed for religious practice. I hope that helps.
I never knew that men used the Mikvah! Please talk a little more about it. Btw, I love the scarf you are wearing today.
Thank you! My sister in law brought it from Israel for me! About the Mikvah, I need to research a little more about how men use the mikvah before I talk about it, but I will!
Hi ok so men and women have separate mikvehs. Often not even in the same building. At least where I am from every stringency is taken so even other women you may recognize don’t bump into one another
@@sarabetesh8951 thanks for sharing that info Sara!
@@sarabetesh8951 not always. It depends on the shul and if they have enough space for two mikvahs or even enough money. I've heard it's very expensive to build.
But, even when there's only one, they are extremely careful about different times for men and women, scheduling people enough apart so as not to bump into each other like you said, etc.
Of course, even immerse pots and pans in it.
So very interesting and informative....my understanding is that you must bathe or shower before the Mikva? And when it’s to be cleansed after the monthly cycle or childbirth it’s a like a renewal?
So glad you enjoyed this! The mikvah is about a change of status. And yes, we do prepare before we go by bathing, trimming nails, etc :)
@@jaroffireflies thanks so much. I just found your channel and am really enjoying your videos. How do you find time to do the videos and homeschool 3 children...plus take care of your home and family?
Do they clean the mitzvah water between several people going in to keep it sanitary? Since there are no chemicals in the water, and especially with covid.
I’m not sure how it’s kept, but it is taken care of.
After watching this video I’m 100% sure that the rabbi who did my conversion was horrible. There was no education or reassurance of modesty. It was horrible.
I find your channel fascinating and your personality refreshing. One thing, though. I watched your video on "covering" your hair and I have to be honest when I tell you that I find the notion that one can wear a wig over ones hair and that it is considered "covering" to be pretty disingenuous. I mean, I view it no less so than I do the Amish using battery power to operate their electronic devices as a work around/loophole over using electricity which is verboten for them. I have seen wigs that are way more luxurious and sensual than normal hair being worn. That wig hair doesn't have the same "movement" as natural hair is not the point. The point is that hair, in and of itself, particularly long hair, is luxurious and considered immodest to display without covering. Anyway, keep making videos. They're compelling, interesting and very informative and have inspired me to reconsider the importance of keeping Shabbat. Shalom, shalom to you and everyone you love....
So glad you are enjoying my channel! The point of covering our hair is just to cover our hair, not to hide our beauty or anything like that. We are supposed to look beautiful. Hope that helps you understand a little better :)
Is the water chlorinated? If not, is the water emptied between clients, scrubbed, and refilled? A bath or shower before is not enough to keep the bacteria count down.
Hello Hannah. I enjoy your videos. They are very informative about the jewish traditions & customs. I am from NYC, so I know a decent amount of the Orthodox faith, but definitely not everything! I have known that the Mikvah is used for when a woman needs cleansing after her monthly cycle or after childbirth as stated in Leviticus. But, I didn't know that it was used for women who choose to convert to Judiasm. So, this makes me curious & I wanted to ask. Does a man who want's to convert to the jewish faith, also have to use a "similiar" mikvah for his conversion? Do they have a separate facility for men? Also, just off the topic. Since your conversion, I really would like to know if you see your parents & do they respect you for choosing judiasm? I too was brought up Catholic on my mom's side, my Dad was baptist. But, as an young adult I wasn't happy with either of them. I am Christian, but its just a different Christian faith. I still believe in the "whole" Bible, OT & NT, but my mom especially was not thrilled that I made my choice. But they came to grips with it in time. Thanks again for the info.
Hello and thank you for your kind words! To answer your questions… I talk about my parents in this video: czcams.com/video/3xXkGAZ72Mk/video.html . And yes, men who are converting will also go to the mikvah :) There are separate mikvahs for men and women :)
I love your videos. I am learning so much. Questions: do men who want to convert go through the same process you did? Do they also have the Mikvah experience?
Thank you! I’m so glad you are enjoying my videos! Yes, men go through the same process but they have the addition of circumcision if they haven’t already done that (if they had there is some sort of ritual to replace that but I’m not certain on those detail 😊)
@@jaroffireflies Thank you!
@@cindelaura2 You are so welcome!
How often do they change the water in the mikvah?
The mikvah water is changed regularly and cleanliness is maintained. How often is the water changed in your local swimming pool?(
Another Orthodox Jewish lady on CZcams said the Rabbi stays outside the Mikvah and asks questions from outside the room on the side of the door, without being able to see inside the room.
I’m not sure who you are referring to, but that is definitely not Orthodox. Could be reform or conservative.
I've heard of some places using a sheet, although I've never seen it. I guess my only question would be whether that makes determining whether the immersion is kosher significantly more difficult for the mikvah attendant? Obviously, you can see whether the top of the head is covered by the water and, presumably, that the hair isn't floating. But how can you be sure that her feet came off the bottom or that her hand didn't graze the side while she was immersed? The sheet would impede that view, right? And I certainly have had a few occasions where I needed to repeat because the attendant thought my hand might have touched the side. Thanks for sharing your experience. So many people say they could never immerse in front of even a female attendant but you really barely notice her when you're there and they're normally very careful not to be intrusive.
Thank you for sharing your experience. To answer your question, the mikvah we used was quite large so it would be impossible or extremely difficult to touch the sides (like she would have had to try to make it unkosher).
Omg, the Rabbi’s were still asking you questions? After all of the other questions.? I never realized becoming Jewish was so detailed
How do the men go through the conversion? Are they “exposed” as well?
Yes, it is the same for men. They would have a male attendant though :)
You see, I consider myself a modest dresser (according to Mormon standards, but I've always dressed this way). But I do believe in wearing skirts/dresses to church. Does the Mikvah look like a baptismal font? From the picture on Google, it looked similar. In a Mormon baptism you are dressed all in white. I remember the missionaries told me not to wear underwear with black writing on it, because everybody would see.
The mikvah does not look like a baptismal font, those are generally above ground that I have seen. The mikvah is underground.
The mikvah is a pool of water that's in the ground. It basically looks like a cross between a sunken bathtub and a mini swimming pool.
Our church had very thick below the knee garment. You didn’t wear anything under it. So you would have dry under things to put on afterwards.
What happens if the person going to the Mikvah is disabled and unable to be in the water alone? Are they allowed an attendant to physically assist them not just getting in or out of the water but while in the water?
Great question! I have seen mikvahs that are accessible with chair lifts, stairs with railings, and I am sure an attendant could be in the water if necessary :)
I am a mikva attendant in Israel. We have a milva built for accesabilty in Jerusalem. If neccessary we enter the water ....
Not the same thing but when I converted my two daughters also converted. One was old enough to go into the mikvah alone and the other was very young. I went into the mikvah with the younger one and even held her for the dunk. The beis din rabbanim told me that as long as I was covered in water that she would be touching the water also even if it was on my body and her conversion was kosher. Hope that helps.
@@Mama24loves P0
@@kazoolibra7322 what’s does P0 mean?
This is fascinating to me as when we do baptisms were are clothed in all white to symbolize purity from sin after an interview . When we are baptised the priest doing the baptism "dunks" us under the water with full emersion. often with a female attendant often our mother or close friend gives us a towel after we come out of the baptismal font to provide modesty and to keep us warm because white clothing wet is sheer. we then get dressed in sunday clothing or normal clothing and we are considered converts then the following sunday we are welcomed into the congregation.
Ok I have questions: 1) if this is 20@ gals of rain water is it collected once and kept clean!? How?? And 2) mikvahs being used on the daily for purification post menses and post birth process how do they keep that clean? Honest question. 😉. Love your videos btw.
I’d like to answer your questions but to answer them most fully I want to arrange a video at a mikvah with someone very knowledgeable on these things :)
First of all, all mikvaos are chlorinated. Re how often waters are changed, not sure but if you ask any community rabbi theyd be able to tell you.
Do women still go to the Mikvah some certain number of days after giving birth? What about after suffering a miscarriage?
Yes and yes. Also after a period. And for conversion and before the wedding :)
Is it filtered like a swimming pool? I am just wondering because of germs and the possibility of algae and other things growing in the water? Do they use salt to disinfect the water, that came to mind when you said it was like being born, a saline like solution is what human beings float around in while in utero.
Great question! Yes, there is some sort of filtering but I don’t know all the details. I’m planning to do a mikvah tour video soon and will ask!
What purpose does the Mikvah have? When you said you went to the Mikvah when you converted, I was imagining a kind of a baptism. Then you said you do it for other reasons too. What other reasons do you go to the Mikvah?
We use it for dishes and for ourselves. I talk about it with dishes here: czcams.com/video/Q0jQ5TkeKKE/video.html
what happens if someone has issues going under water? like I tend to have panic attacks if I wind up underwater?
I don’t know the answer to your question
Therapy is pursued in a case like this, and the mikva matron must be patient.
This is actually a year after this episode was made. I have no idea if you even get notification of “re-run” comments? On the chance that you do, firstly this was a great explanation and much appreciated. It did, however bring to mind two questions that had never occurred to me before. One, you mentioned hair floating on the water, is this an exception to the rule that no one should see your hair but your husband? In the case of conversion, the two rabbi and the attendant are actually viewing your hair. The second question, you said during non-conversion trips, the attendant makes sure your head goes completely under. I wasn’t aware that you immersed your head each time, is that a regular part of the Mikva experience?
I know this is a pretty old video, but I have some questions that I do not believe have been answered since then. I am in the very beginning stage of conversion…learning and questioning and seeing if this is something I can do, not just want to do. Your conversion videos have informed and inspired and I am so grateful to you for making this a possibility for me. OK. Here goes. 1. Is there any charge for using the Mikva? If so, around how much? If no, how how is maintenance and attendant funded? 2. I understand the Mika’s use in conversion and to cleanse the woman 5 + days after her period ends. What function does it serve after the woman reaches menopause? Is it still allowed? It sounds like such a wonderfully spiritual custom, I would hate to know that its use ceases after menstruation ends. Thank you in advance for your response and again, thank you for all you do. Sandra
What happens if alot of women have their periods at the same time...(sometimes women sync up with their monthlys) ?
We make an appointment and they stagger us for privacy. We can do appointments as late as needed. Often there are many rooms to prepare for the mikvah, and the mikvah part itself just takes a few minutes.
Thank you so much for sharing! Such a fascinating process! May I ask what is the garment the attendant wears?
The attendant is wearing whatever their normal clothing is :)
I would definitely be interested in a video about monthly Mikva visits. Is it only married women that would do this ??
I’ll do a video on this in the future!
Chana- please daven for me that I could have a Mikvah. Please daven for me and people like me who want to convert.
Are attendants required for your monthly Mikva? Do you ever get to go alone? What happens if you cannot find anyone on that specific day to escort you? Thank you very much
Shana tova!
Thank you so much!
How did you keep your hair from floating on top? Did you braid it or cut it real short?
Great question! I pull my hair down with my hands after I go under. It’s literally never been an issue :)
@@jaroffireflies how often do you do it?
I love your videos and stumbled upon this older one I hadn't seen yet. And of course I have a question. ;-)
Conversion aside, do women only have to go to the Mikvah after their period? Many women bleed slightly at the time of their ovulation. If this happens, would they have to go to the Mikvah after that as well? Is a woman who has an ovulation bleeding considered "unclean" in the same way as during her period? This might make conception difficult.
And what about if you bleed for another reason, maybe a small injury or an abscess?
I plan to make a video on this topic when things calm down (what with new baby and back to school and all)
Chairlift is spot on
Do women still go to the mikvah after menopause?
Very interesting…That still sounds quite scary…
I was wondering when a man converts, does he do a similar ritual as a woman?? Does he have to convert in water??
Yes it’s the same. However if he hasn’t had a circumcision, he needs that done. And if he has, he has to do something like draw a drop of blood or something
My understanding is that you have to have everything "off" of you-- earrings, nail polish, etc, even contact lenses. What if you have, say, a cast on your arm? Would you just wait to convert (or go to the mikvah for whatever other reason you were going) until your arm was healed and you got the cast off?
Oh a cast! I hadn’t ever thought about that! I don’t know the answer to that.
Wonder why reform/conservatives shuls don't have mikveh?
Some do :) And there are stand alone mikvahs also. Our Mikvah’s locally serve all kinds of Jews.
What happens when there is a drought and no rain water?
Great question! You can bring in water from elsewhere, I don’t know all the details, but we make it work!
Do men go into the Mikvah for conversion or any other times? I've only ever heard women discuss it.
Yes, men go to the mikvah to convert. They can basically go whenever they want. My husband goes usually once a year, but some go once a week or more. I think once a year is normal for guys, but they don't have to even that.
The Mikvah in the Satmar-community described in the book "Unorthodox" by Deborah Feldman seems to have been a much less modest experience. I am happy to hear from your video that way that Feldman described of doing it is not representative of most Mikvahs.
I have always found each mikvah I have visited and the attendants to very much respect me and my privacy at the mikvah.
@@jaroffireflies Maybe there are differences between how it is done in the Sefardic and the Hasidic communities? I just came across an interview with Emily Green who talks about her experiences growing up in a Hasidic community, and she also mentions her experiencing the Mikvah as violating her modesty:
czcams.com/video/tA9_kR1JVh8/video.html
@@mailill stories, like that make great entertainment, which is why they are out here. I’ve talked to so many women about their experiences at the Mikvah, both in my community, and in communities across the country in the world. The stories that make great headlines are not representative of most women’s experiences in my experience.
If using a Mikvah for non conversion just to go before a holiday for example, do you still need a witness there ?
Yes we do :)
ok I still do not understand why the rabbis have to be in that room with you at all while you are in your birthday suite, this really confuses me. Being a Jewish woman, we are to have the upmost modesty, but the rabbis (men) are allowed to do this in name of religion. Shouldn't it be the Rebbetzin that should be in the room with you while this takes place for your conversion or for any mikvah? Don't mean to rain on your parade here, or to be rude but I just think this part should be for the Rebbetzin. The Rebbetzin do everything else for the women why not this part? oh boy I ask alot.
I would not like men in the room at all! Even if they are rabbis. Doesn’t seem right to me.
❤🙏
Why not put a curtain there, or a religiously qualified female to say its kosher? As even though most men will behave but there is always opportunity to abuse in some remote place, out of site by those who seek these positions of trust to abuse. I am very grateful to my female appa (female ustadh) for warning us to not even respond to headteacher if male and alone, just leave madrassa after class, no hanging around.
If there is a male scholar who teaches men and women, there is a whole curtain put up seperating the genders. Or women seated in the back.
In Islam, women only need to say declaration of faith called shahadah. If after menstratution or intimate relations we do ghusal, have a shower or bath doing full ritual purification or even easier rinse mouth and nose, wetting all the body with water, just bathing in house. Its easy...
But I appreciate you teaching your way, its interesting.
The statement of Allah Most High "O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful."
And His statement: "O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving." (Bukhari)
Sahih al-Bukhari 248
Narrated `Aisha:
Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) took a bath after Janaba he started by washing his hands and then performed ablution like that for the prayer. After that he would put his fingers in water and move the roots of his hair with them, and then pour three handfuls of water over his head and then pour water all over his body.
Seriously Chanah, I need to know that that is pure and clean water i'd be steppig in to. Like, no other menstrual secretions. So do they drain the water after every single person?
Do you ever swim in lakes or in the ocean?
I'm wondering how does a male convert ? Mikvah too?
I'm Askenazi ,conservative.
Yes, mikvah as well :)
So after a woman's period is done she goes to the mitvah every month?
Is there a cost to using the Mikveh?
There is a fee as the have maintenance costs utilities etc but also no one would be turned away for financial reasons
In a hospital there is no privacy, modesty and little dignity so how would an orthodox Jewish women deal with that ?
Life always comes first. Women aren’t going to stay home from the hospital because of modesty. We must according to Jewish law put our lives first. I have kept my hair covered during surgery, I do my best to remain modest in the gown, but bottom line is life comes first.
Are you and your husband suppose to or do you sleep in separate beds during your period! Thank you! ❤