MIKVEH ISRAEL RECORD 6 Iyar 5772 Shabbat Tazriang/Metsorang April 28-29, 2012

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

MIKVEH ISRAEL RECORD 6 Iyar 5772 Shabbat Tazriang/Metsorang April 28-29, 2012 MIKVEH ISRAEL RECORD 6 Iyar 5772 Shabbat Tazriang/Metsorang April 28-29, 2012 Parashah: In this week's parashah, G-d told Moses Shabbat Services to relate to the people that when a woman gives birth to a boy, she is unclean 7 days and the boy is Candlelighting: 7:34 P.M. to be circumcised on the 8th day. The mother Friday Night Service: 7:15 P.M. remains in a state of impurity for 33 days. If she Shabbat Morning Service: 9:00 A.M. gives birth to a girl, she is unclean 14 days and remains in a state of impurity for 66 days. Upon Torah Class 6:00 P.M. completing her period of purification, she is to give a Shabbat Afternoon Service: 7:00 P.M. burnt offering and a sin offering, and the priest is to Shabbat Ends: 8:34 P.M. offer them as sacrifices to make expiation on her behalf. G-d told Moses and Aaron that when a person had a swelling, rash, discoloration, scaly affection, FROM THE RABBI inflammation, or burn, it is to be reported to the By Rabbi Albert E. Gabbai priest, who is to examine it to determine whether the person is clean or unclean. Unclean persons are to The Parashah this week mentions Tsara'at (a kind rend their clothes, leave their head bare, cover their of mold, discoloration, etc.) that occurs either on upper lips, call out, "Unclean! Unclean!" and dwell humans, clothing or walls of the house. Our sages outside the camp. tell us that this affliction is due to a spiritual decline. Similarly, when a streaky green or red eruptive lesion occurs in wool, linen, or animal skin, it is to be We should not think of it on a physical level. The shown to the priest, who is to examine to determine lesson we should draw from this is that very often whether it is clean or unclean. If unclean, it is to be we are afflicted with psychosomatic symptoms. In burned, but if the lesion disappeared from the article such cases, it would be proper to search deep upon washing, it has to be washed again and then it within our souls how we can remedy these is clean. manifestations. Someone who has a skin disease (metzorang) is purified by the Kohen (priest) with a special One of the best ways is to study Torah in order to procedure. Eight days after that, the one being recognize the best path to follow. cleansed was to present a special offering which the Kohen uses to affect atonement for the person. A home can also be afflicted with an eruptive plague HOLD THIS DATE! MAY 22, 2012 with the appearance of dark red or green patches on Please call or email Christ Church and accept their kind its walls. In a process lasting as long as nineteen days, a Kohen determines if the house can be invitation to the Annual Fellowship Evening of Kahal purified or it must be demolished. Kadosh Mikveh Israel and Christ Church in Philadelphia, Ritual impurity is also caused through a seminal or on Tuesday evening, May 22, 2012. other discharge in a man, and menstruation or other Festivities at Christ Church begin with a welcome at 5:30 discharge of blood in a woman, necessitating P.M. Blessings and dinner will be at 6:00 P.M. purification through immersion in fresh water. G-d tells Moses and Aaron to put the people on guard At 6:45 P.M. there will be a talk given by Judge Harvey against uncleanness, lest they die by defiling G-d's Bartle about the role of the Federal Court in Philadelphia Tabernacle. protecting the right of freedom of religion as guaranteed Street Address by the U.S. Constitution. Suite 555 ThisCity, week's State 55555 Haftarah is from II Kings. We hope you will all be there as representatives of www.webaddress.com Congregation Mikveh Israel to support this important E: [email protected] event! P: 555-555-5555 M: 555-555-5555 F: 555-555-5555 Mikveh Israel Record 1 From The Parnas SHOP IN OUR GIFT SHOP By Mark I. Wolfson We have a wonderful selection of wineVol. as 1 Issuewell as 1 an amazing selection of Judaica gifts that would be perfect for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Come check us out! Please call the office, 215-922-5446, for an appointment to shop. We can arrange to have someone meet you. Volunteers are Needed for our Gift Shop This week we commemorated Yom Hazikaron, which is Memorial Day in Israel and for Jews throughout the Do you like to meet people? Do you like to sell? If world. On this day, we remember all of those brave men and women who lost their lives in the Israeli War of so, volunteer to work in the Gift Shop. We need Independence, those defending Israel while serving in your help and will set up a schedule according to the IDF, and those who perished in terrorist attacks. It is a somber and reflective day marked by special the hours you have available. broadcasts on radio and television, flags flown at half mast, and a siren that sounds for one minute at 8PM Please call Mrs. Fran Levy, 609-923-6765 when the whole country observes a minute of silence to remember the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice Contribution Cards for their country. Call the office to send out a contribution card for Yom Hazikaron reminds me of the monument in front of the entrance to the synagogue. This beautiful sculpture a Simha, such as a birthday, birth, anniversary, is a memorial to Yonatan Netanyahu, who was the leader and hero of the Raid on Entebbe, and the only graduation, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Berit Milah, for one to sacrifice his life for the mission. The mission, condolence or for any other event or occasion. called Operation Thunderbolt, was an attempt to rescue the 106 hostages taken from an Air France flight by The cost is $10 for a personalized message. Arab and German terrorists. 100 highly skilled commandoes led by Netanyahu were flown 2500 miles to Uganda for the rescue. The operation lasted 90 minutes, during which time 103 of the hostages were Save The Date – Shabbat Shelah June 15-16, 2012 rescued, all of the terrorists and 45 Ugandan soldiers were killed, 30 Soviet MIG planes were destroyed, and Professor Yechiel Schur, from the Katz Center for tragically Yonatan Netanyahu was killed by a Ugandan Advanced Judaic Studies. Will be joining us as a sniper from the airport control tower. Scholar In Residence for Shabbat Shelah. More Yonatan (Yoni) and his younger brother Benjamin (Bibi), who is now Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, grew up information to come soon! right here in Wyncote and attended Cheltenham High School. Upon graduation in 1964, he joined the IDF and gave 12 years of distinguished service before the operation in Uganda. He served in the Six-Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973, where he earned the Medal of Distinguished Service, Israel's third “ highest military decoration. Kids of Mikveh Israel, do you have an During the Eulogy at his funeral, Shimon Peres, then opinion? a funny joke? a drawing? a cool Defense Minister, said that "a bullet had torn the young heart of one of Israel's finest sons, one of its most story? or anything else you want to share courageous warriors, one of its most promising about the parashah or a holiday? Send it in commanders - the magnificent Yonatan Netanyahu." to [email protected] and we will publish it. This is your space. Mikveh Israel Record 2 Continued on next page Mikveh Israel Record “From the Parnas” continued from previous page: Scholar-in-Residence May 11, 2012 Netanyahu was also known for his personal letters, some of which were later published. Here are a couple of excerpts: Letter to his parents, March 6, 1969: Mr. Aryeh Green "In another week I'll be 23. On me, on us, the young men of Israel, rests the duty of keeping Scholar-In-Residence our country safe. This is a heavy responsibility, which matures us early... I do not regret what I have done and what I'm about to do. I'm convinced that what I am doing is right. I believe in myself, in my country and in my future" Letter to his brother Benjamin, Dec. 2, 1973: "We're preparing for war, and it's hard to know what to expect. What I'm positive of is that there will be a next round, and others after that. Subhead. Subhead. But I would rather opt for living here in continual battle than for becoming part of the When you’re Shabbatwriting a newsletter, Emor write it so that wandering Jewish people. Any compromise will someone who has never heard of your company simply hasten the end. As I don't intend to tell can understand20 what Iyar you’re offering5772 as quickly as my grandchildren about the Jewish State in the possible. Stay away from using jargon, acronyms, twentieth century as a mere brief and transient or complicatedSaturday, terms. May 12, 2012 episode in thousands of years of wandering, I intend to hold on here with all my might." If you’re notServices sure what to 9:00 write, make A.M a list. of “what we do” and then a list of “why our products The memorial was donated to the National Museum of or services are the best.” Use that information to American Jewish History in 1986, when we shared the create your newsletter.
Recommended publications
  • Understanding Mikvah
    Understanding Mikvah An overview of Mikvah construction Copyright © 2001 by Rabbi S. Z. Lesches permission & comments: (514) 737-6076 4661 Van Horne, Suite 12 Montreal P.Q. H3W 1H8 Canada National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data Lesches, Schneur Zalman Understanding mikvah : an overview of mikvah construction ISBN 0-9689146-0-8 1. Mikveh--Design and construction. 2. Mikveh--History. 3. Purity, Ritual--Judaism. 4. Jewish law. I. Title. BM703.L37 2001 296.7'5 C2001-901500-3 v"c CONTENTS∗ FOREWORD .................................................................... xi Excerpts from the Rebbe’s Letters Regarding Mikvah....13 Preface...............................................................................20 The History of Mikvaos ....................................................25 A New Design.............................................................27 Importance of a Mikvah....................................................30 Building and Planning ......................................................33 Maximizing Comfort..................................................34 Eliminating Worry ......................................................35 Kosher Waters ...................................................................37 Immersing in a Spring................................................37 Oceans..........................................................................38 Rivers and Lakes .........................................................38 Swimming Pools .........................................................39
    [Show full text]
  • TEMPLE ISRAEL OP HOLLYWOOD Preparing for Jewish Burial and Mourning
    TRANSITIONS & CELEBRATIONS: Jewish Life Cycle Guides E EW A TEMPLE ISRAEL OP HOLLYWOOD Preparing for Jewish Burial and Mourning Written and compiled by Rabbi John L. Rosove Temple Israel of Hollywood INTRODUCTION The death of a loved one is so often a painful and confusing time for members of the family and dear friends. It is our hope that this “Guide” will assist you in planning the funeral as well as offer helpful information on our centuries-old Jewish burial and mourning practices. Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary (“Hillside”) has served the Southern California Jewish Community for more than seven decades and we encourage you to contact them if you need assistance at the time of need or pre-need (310.641.0707 - hillsidememorial.org). CONTENTS Pre-need preparations .................................................................................. 3 Selecting a grave, arranging for family plots ................................................. 3 Contacting clergy .......................................................................................... 3 Contacting the Mortuary and arranging for the funeral ................................. 3 Preparation of the body ................................................................................ 3 Someone to watch over the body .................................................................. 3 The timing of the funeral ............................................................................... 3 The casket and dressing the deceased for burial ..........................................
    [Show full text]
  • Jewish Culture in the Christian World James Jefferson White University of New Mexico - Main Campus
    University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository History ETDs Electronic Theses and Dissertations Fall 11-13-2017 Jewish Culture in the Christian World James Jefferson White University of New Mexico - Main Campus Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hist_etds Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation White, James Jefferson. "Jewish Culture in the Christian World." (2017). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hist_etds/207 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Electronic Theses and Dissertations at UNM Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in History ETDs by an authorized administrator of UNM Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. James J White Candidate History Department This thesis is approved, and it is acceptable in quality and form for publication: Approved by the Thesis Committee: Sarah Davis-Secord, Chairperson Timothy Graham Michael Ryan i JEWISH CULTURE IN THE CHRISTIAN WORLD by JAMES J WHITE PREVIOUS DEGREES BACHELORS THESIS Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts History The University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico December 2017 ii JEWISH CULTURE IN THE CHRISTIAN WORLD BY James White B.S., History, University of North Texas, 2013 M.A., History, University of New Mexico, 2017 ABSTRACT Christians constantly borrowed the culture of their Jewish neighbors and adapted it to Christianity. This adoption and appropriation of Jewish culture can be fit into three phases. The first phase regarded Jewish religion and philosophy. From the eighth century to the thirteenth century, Christians borrowed Jewish religious exegesis and beliefs in order to expand their own understanding of Christian religious texts.
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to Jewish Mourning and Condolence
    A Guide to Jewish Mourning and Condolence by Jerry Rabow Copyright © 1982, 2007, Valley Beth Shalom Table of Contents Immediate Steps................................................i Table of Contents ............................................. ii Preface ......................................................................................1 Rabbinical Foreword to Original Edition ....................................2 Part 1 - Introduction...................................................................5 A. Goals Of This Booklet......................................................................................5 B. Our Attitudes About Death...............................................................................5 Part 2 – Lifetime Considerations ...............................................8 A. Terminal Illness................................................................................................8 B. Advance Funeral and Burial Arrangements .....................................................9 Part 3-Mourning and Condolence............................................11 A. Who Are the "Mourners" Under Jewish Law? ................................................ 11 B. The Immediate Decisions Required Upon a Death........................................ 11 C. The Roles of the Mourners and the Community Between the Death and the Funeral......................................................................................................... 17 ii D. The Basic Elements Of The Funeral Service................................................
    [Show full text]
  • JEWISH PRINCIPLES of CARE for the DYING JEWISH HEALING by RABBI AMY EILBERG (Adapted from "Acts of Laving Kindness: a Training Manual for Bikur Holim")
    A SPECIAL EDITION ON DYING WINTER 2001 The NATIONAL CENTER for JEWISH PRINCIPLES OF CARE FOR THE DYING JEWISH HEALING By RABBI AMY EILBERG (adapted from "Acts of Laving Kindness: A Training Manual for Bikur Holim") ntering a room or home where death is a gone before and those who stand with us now. Epresence requires a lot of us. It is an intensely We are part of this larger community (a Jewish demanding and evocative situation. It community, a human community) that has known touches our own relationship to death and to life. death and will continue to live after our bodies are It may touch our own personal grief, fears and gone-part of something stronger and larger than vulnerability. It may acutely remind us that we, death. too, will someday die. It may bring us in stark, Appreciation of Everyday Miracles painful confrontation with the face of injustice Quite often, the nearness of death awakens a when a death is untimely or, in our judgement, powerful appreciation of the "miracles that are with preventable. If we are professional caregivers, we us, morning, noon and night" (in the language of may also face feelings of frustration and failure. the Amidah prayer). Appreciation loves company; Here are some Jewish principles of care for the we only need to say "yes" when people express dying which are helpful to keep in mind: these things. B'tselem Elohim (created in the image of the Mterlife Divine) Unfortunately, most Jews have little knowledge This is true no matter what the circumstances at of our tradition's very rich teachings on life after the final stage of life.
    [Show full text]
  • Holiness and Imitatio Dei: a Jewish Perspective on the Sanctity of Teaching and Learning
    religions Article Holiness and Imitatio Dei: A Jewish Perspective on the Sanctity of Teaching and Learning Isaac Calvert McKay School of Education, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; [email protected] Abstract: Research in Jewish studies as well as key passages from Judaism’s sacred texts describe teaching and learning as being among the most important, efficacious and sacred of God’s command- ments. However, while this description is well-documented, the specific dynamics of education’s role within a framework of Judaic holiness remains underexplored. This article first lays a thorough foundation of Judaic sanctity, illustrating a theistic axiom at its core surrounded by several peripheral elements, including connection to God, knowledge of God, holiness as invitation, reciprocal holiness, awakening sacred potentiality and, as the purpose and apex of the entire system, imitatio dei. Having illustrated imitatio dei as a culminating purpose atop the entire system of Judaic holiness, I describe how teaching and learning as prescribed in sacred Jewish texts can be a potent means of achieving this end. Considering that teaching and learning are called kaneged kulam, or equal to all the other commandments of Judaism combined, I argue that education conducted in sacred ways prescribed by Jewish scripture can be considered among Judaism’s most sacred commandments, as well as a most efficacious means of realizing imitatio dei within a Jewish frame. Keywords: holiness; sacred education; religious education; Jewish studies; Judaism; imitatio dei 1. Introduction Citation: Calvert, Isaac. 2021. Within the corpus of Judaism’s 613 laws, teaching and learning are not described Holiness and Imitatio Dei: A Jewish as just another commandment made sacred by virtue of a connection to God as its au- Perspective on the Sanctity of thor, but as kaneged kulam, equal in importance, power and sanctity to all the other com- Teaching and Learning.
    [Show full text]
  • Shechita by a Non-Kohen on Shabbat
    ` בס"ד Volume 17 Issue 1 Shechita by a non-Kohen on Shabbat There are four critical avodot in the offering of a korban – The Aruch LaNer (31b) cites the Shaar HaMelech that also shechita (slaughter), kabbalah (collecting the blood), derives the same conclusion from Rashi. The Aruch LaNer holacha (taking the blood to the mizbeach) and zerika however disagrees. He argues that since the zar can perform (placing the blood on the mizbeach). With the beginning of shechitah, even as a first choice, how then could he violate the third perek we learn, that while ordinarily all avodah in the prohibition of performing shechitah on Shabbat, if the the Beit HaMikdash must be performed by the kohanim, Torah commands that this korban must be slaughtered? shechita can be performed by anyone. According to the Aruch LaNer, why then does Rashi make The Bartenura explains that this fact is based on the pasuk no mention of the exemption of the prohibition of Shabbat "He shall slaughter the bull before Hashem; the sons of as well. Recall that it is only public offerings that are brought Aharon the Kohanim, shall bring the blood and throw the on Shabbat. The Aruch LaNer suggests that the Beraita was blood on the alter." (Vayikra 1:5) Note that the exclusive discussing a private korban that may not be offered on kohanim involvement is only mentioned after the slaughter. Shabbat. Anyone who would do so, including a kohen, would be desecrating Shabbat. One question raised is that even though a zar (non-kohen) can perform shechitah, can the zar do so for a korban that is The Chazon Ish (Even HaEzer 134:16) also maintains that a offered on Shabbat? zar can perform shechita for a korban on Shabbat.
    [Show full text]
  • The Halakhic Parameters of Delaying Procreation
    The Halakhic Parameters of Delaying Procreation Moshe Kahn Bio: Rabbi Kahn is a teacher of Talmud and Jewish law at Stern College for Women, the Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies at Stern College, the Drisha Institute, and is a member-in-training to become a psychoanalyst at the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis in New York City. Abstract: This article aims to show that there is a strong halakhic basis to allow a childless couple to postpone procreation temporarily and without an arbitrary time limit imposed. It focuses on the rulings of Rivash and Rema, who recommend that the rabbinic leadership adopt a laissez faire policy regarding marital issues The Talmudic teaching extolling zealousness is not absolute and would not apply if a delay would enhance the performance of the commandment. The fear of a premature death is not a factor with regard to the commandment to procreate. A Forum of Modern Orthodox Discourse Orthodox Modern of Forum A M e o r o t Meorot 8 Tishrei 5771 © 2010 A Publication of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School The Halakhic Parameters of Delaying Procreation1 Moshe Kahn As a Talmud teacher at Stern College for context, I would like to consider the following Women for almost three decades, I have found questions: Does a couple’s wish to delay myself confronted in recent years by an fulfilling the commandment to procreate increasingly greater number of requests to require rabbinic permission? If so, what are the decide questions of marital issues. My students halakhic determinants of the discussion? If not, seem simultaneously pulled in opposite what are the consequences of rabbinic directions.
    [Show full text]
  • Blemishes and the Fallacy of Perfection Parshat Emor Is the Parsha of Perfection. in It We're Told That the Kohen
    Blemishes and the Fallacy of Perfection Parshat Emor is the parsha of perfection. In it we’re told that the Kohen (Priest) must be perfect in order to serve. Any blemish disqualifies him – ish mi’zarakha le-dorotam asher yi’hiyeh vo mum lo yikrav le’hakriv…ish iver o phise’ah…o ish asher yi’hiyeh bo shever ragel o shever yad… “any of your seed who has a blemish shall not approach to offer…whether it be a person who is blind or lame…or has a broken leg or broken arm. (Leviticus 21:17- 19) One wonders why – why should it be that only the Kohen who is perfect can serve in the Mikdash? Perhaps it can be suggested that the prohibition does not stem as much from the Kohen as it does from the community he serves. In other words, the reason for the disqualification does not stem as much from the Kohen’s handicap, but from the congregation that is unable to accept or receive the service of someone who is less than whole. This is Maimonides' concept of accommodation, found in the “Guide of the Perplexed.” Some laws were given to the people to accommodate where they were at. In the Biblical era and in the era of the Temple, the community was uncomfortable being followers of leaders who were physically and, for that matter, mentally challenged. 1 Discomfort with those who are challenged continues to this day. Many people shun those who are disfigured, those with Down Syndrome or autism and those who are wheelchair-bound.
    [Show full text]
  • Maimonides on the Purpose of Ritual Sacrifices
    religions Essay Weaning Away from Idolatry: Maimonides on the Purpose of Ritual Sacrifices Reuven Chaim Klein Independent Researcher, Beitar Illit 90500, Israel; [email protected] Abstract: This essay explores Maimonides’ explanation of the Bible’s rationale behind the ritual sacrifices, namely to help wean the Jews away from idolatrous rites. After clearly elucidating Maimonides’ stance on the topic, this essay examines his view from different angles with various possible precedents in earlier rabbinic literature for such an understanding. The essay also shows why various other Jewish commentators objected to Maimonides’ understanding and how Maimonides might respond to those critiques. Additionally, this essay also situates Maimonides’ view on sacrifices within his broader worldview of the Bible’s commandments in general as serving as a counterweight to idolatrous rituals. Keywords: sacrifices; theology; maimonides; ritual; idolatry; paganism; cult; fetishism; nahmanides; judaism; bible; midrash; talmud; rabbinics; philosophy; rationalism; polemics; mysticism; ancient near east; bible studies 1. Maimonides’ Position In his Guide for the Perplexed (3:30, 3:32), Maimonides explains that the Torah’s main objective is to eradicate the viewpoint of paganism. Thus, to truly understand the Torah’s original intent, one must be familiar with the philosophies and practices of ancient idolaters (in Maimonidean terms, this refers to practitioners of non-monotheistic religions). Citation: Klein, Reuven Chaim. 2021. Weaning Away from Idolatry: Taking this idea a step further, Maimonides seemingly assumes that ritual sacrifices Maimonides on the Purpose of Ritual are a sub-optimal form of worship, leading him to making the bold statement that the Torah Sacrifices. Religions 12: 363. https:// instituted its system of ritual sacrifices to facilitate the rejection of idolatrous practices.
    [Show full text]
  • The Democratization of American Judaism
    1r h e [J) e mr]J(J) era It RZ <R\Jt RCO) illl CO) f AmmerRcailll J lJJldaR§mm Jonathan D. Sarna In an influential volume titled The Democratization of American Christianity, Nathan Hatch proclaimed that the "American Revolution and the beliefs flowing from it created a cultural ferment over the meaning offreedom." Common people, he showed, became significant actors on the American religious scene in the Revolution's wake. Turmoil swirled "around the crucial issues of authority, organization and leadership." The tension between traditional religious values and new American values, he concluded, provoked "a period of religious ferment, chaos, and originality unmatched in American history. "I Hatch confined his evidence to the world ofAmerican Christianity, including early Mormonism. Was the story the same with respect to America's small community of Jews? We might have supposed that Jews would have been wary of religious ferment. The small size of the American Jewish community (estimates range from one thousand 2 to twenty-five hundred ); the fact that Jews were scattered over six communities (Savannah, Charleston, Richmond, Philadelphia, New York, and Newport); and Jews' centuries-old emphasis on tradition and deference would presumably have made Jews wary of "chaos and originality." They had lived through the Protestant Great Awakening without its transforming, in any discernible way, Jewish religious life. 3 The impact of the Revolution, we might have conjectured, would likewise have been muted. And yet, the more we learn, the clearer it becomes that the Revolution's impact on the American Jewish community was anything 95 96 The Democratization ofAmerican Judaism but muted.
    [Show full text]
  • Vetaval Bemayim”, a Collection of Teachings of Our Rebbeim Concerning the Importance of Immersing Oneself in a Mikveh Before Davening
    Kovetz Mikvah - Cover 2/1/2012 3:42 PM Page 1 קונטרס לעילוי נשמת הרה"ח הרה"ת ר' מאיר ב"ר וטבל במים אליהו ז"ל ליקוט דברי רבותינו נשיאנו נלב"ע ז"ך כסלו, נר ג' דחנוכה ה'תשנ"ט בעניני טבילה במקוה ת' נ' צ' ב' ה' ולזכות משפחתו שיחי' Teachings of our Rebbeim about the Importance of going to the Mikveh ניתן להוריד את הקונטרס באתר: This booklet is available at: mikvah.info Forward It is with great joy that we present to you the Kuntres “Vetaval Bemayim”, a collection of teachings of our Rebbeim concerning the importance of immersing oneself in a Mikveh before davening. Immersing in the Mikveh before davening is a fundamental practice of Chassidim, and we find many places where the Rebbeim speak about its necessity and importance. This English version is an abridged digest of all those Maamorim, Sichos and letters; presenting the different facets and highlighting the essential themes of going to the Mikveh. May we merit to the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days. Yud Shvat, 5772 Vetaval Bemayim • 3 Takanas Ezra Ezra Hasofer decreed that men who are in state of impurity are prohibited from learning Torah unless they first purify themselves1. A later Beis Din extended the decree to prohibit davening as well without prior purification2. This decree is called “Takanas Ezra.” The act of immersing oneself in keeping with this Takana is called Tevilas Ezra. At a later date, the Chachamim abolished the Takana completely, on the basis of the following two things: First of all, the Takana had never been accepted by the general public, and secondly, it caused Bittul Torah, for people would not learn Torah if they had not gone to the mikvah.3 There is a dispute among Rishonim which part, or perhaps all, of the Takanah was abolished.
    [Show full text]