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IMPORTANCE OF MIKVAH

Our sages teach us that the building of a mikvah is even more vital to the spiritual continuity of the Jewish people than the building of a synagogue. We are actually required to sell a Torah Scroll in order to raise funds to build a mikvah.

Maintaining a Tradition
That Is Over 3,300 Years Old,
Congregation B'nai Avraham
In Brooklyn Heights Maintains
A Structure Central To Jewish
Spirituality & Continuity: The "Mikvah"

WHAT IS A MIKVAH?

The word "mikvah" means "a gathering of water," which is collected from a naturally flowing source such as a river or rainfall. A modern mikvah is filled with chlorinated water connected to an in-ground pool filled with rainwater.

MIKVAH HISTORY AND MEANING

In ancient times, in addition to its uses today, the mikvah was used by the holy priests prior to performing sacred temples services and by both men and women to purify themselves, before going into the holy temple. Today, although it is used by many men before the High Holy days and by brides before their weddings, the primary use of a mikvah is the required monthly use by married women. This is the sole mitzvah (commandment) today, that can be performed ONLY by women, and many women find that this connects them to the generations of Jewish women going back more than 3,300 years. Our sages teach us that the mikvah is reminiscent of the fluids of the womb; thus, when one emerges from the mikvah, he or she experiences a spiritual rebirth and rejuvenation. The mikvah creates a transformation from the everyday world to the realm of the holy and spiritual.

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RABBI AKIVA SAID (YOMA 85b)

Fortunate is the Jewish People.
Before whom are you purified and who purifies you?
Your Father in Heaven.
As it states "I shall sprinkle pure water upon you
and you will be purified. (Ezekiel 36:25)

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MIKVAH BENEFITS

While laws of family purity and mikvah are both mandatory and spiritually beneficial to the user, these laws have medical and psychological benefits as well. Doctors advise that marital relations during menstruation is not healthy; in addition, husbands and wives develop more meaningful intimacy and enjoy a relationship based on friendship as well as physical attraction.

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HAYOM YOM (NISSAN 10)

Let us imagine that G-d were to give you the opportunity to save a Jewish community from extinction (G-d forbid). You would certainly be willing to risk your life for this and would thank and praise Him for His great kindness in offering you an opportunity to earn such enormous merit. The same then holds true to an even greater degree with regards to the campaign to popularize the observance of family purity in your community; it is an endeavor that literally saves lives.

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Our mikvah has resulted in several unique benefits for our community:

  1. It has enabled women to use the mikvah on holidays and shabbat, when they are unable to travel to other mikvot.
  2. Publicizing the mikvah and making it more convenient to use has increased the level of observance of this all-important mitzvah.
  3. It has helped build the community by making Brownstone Brooklyn a more convenient place to live.

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For mikvah reservations and hours, please call (718) 596-4840 x 42.

MIKVAH COMMITTEE
Shternie Raskin
Celia Weintrob