MikvahThe ritual bath. The waters of the mikveh symbolically purify – they are seen as waters of rebirth. A convert immerses in the mikveh as part of conversion. Many Orthodox married women go to the mikveh following their period and before resuming sexual relations. Couples go to the mikveh before being married. Many, including some men, immerse before Yom Kippur; some go every Friday before Shabbat.
Naked and alone I approach the Mikvah
no speck of dirt or trailing hair
between my body and the warm flowing waters.
I pull knees to chest head curled down
a fetal position
the shape of the human heart
Water touches my every cell
The borders of my body become indistinguishable
from molecules of sacred water
As one together, yet cradled and
enveloped by a profound embrace
HashemLit. The Name, referring to the ineffable name of God; used as a substitute for any of the more sacred names of God when not speaking in prayer. Particularly used in conversation. that is water
Water that is Hashem
Nourished in his womb
that is her womb
that is the womb of the people Yisrael
Three times I curl around myself
immerse my body into the waters
Once within Hashem, Echad, The Place
Twice within the womb of ShechinaThe feminine name of God, expounded upon in the rabbinic era and then by the Kabbalists in extensive literature on the feminine attributes of the divine.
Thrice within the soul of my people Yisrael
Stepping out I cherish the feeling of pressure
the water’s indelible imprint on my skin
The comfort of being completely enveloped and sustained
The joy of feeling at one within myself
held within Hashem
Hashem who is
is יהוה
is was
is is
is always will be
is breath
is ah-ahaaaaaa
is
Emet
