Intention – KavannahLit. Intention Refers both to one’s intention when performing a mitzvah or when focusing for prayer. Kavanah also refers to specific readings to help focus one's attention prior to performing an act.
Take a moment to reflect on what brought you to the mikvehThe 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. today.
Then read aloud:
I come here today to draw strength and healing from the Living Waters,
for my body, my heart and my soul.
As I prepare my body to enter the mikveh,
I also prepare my mind and spirit to release what needs to be released and dissolve what needs to dissolve.
Immersion – T’vilahThe act of immersion in the ritual bath (mikveh).
To be read at the mikveh’s edge before you enter the water:
Compassionate God,
In Your oneness, I find unity.
With the promise of Your love, I am loved.
Through Your wholeness, I will remain whole.
FIRST IMMERSION
Slowly descend the steps of the mikveh and say:
As I stand here about to immerse in Your Living Waters, I express gratitude for the opportunity to prevent harm to my holy, beautiful body, even if that means having to muster the courage to cut away a part of it. Please, God, help me wear my scars like a badge of courage, a mark of wisdom, and a sign of Your protection. Please, God, help me embrace my transformed body like Your waters embrace me today.
Lower your body into the mikveh waters and immerse completely so that every part of your body is covered in the warm water of the mikveh. When you emerge, recite the following blessing:
Blessed are You, God, Majestic Spirit of the Universe
Who sanctifies our holiness by embracing us in living waters.
Barukh atah, Adonai
Eloheinu, Melekh ha’olam
asher kidshanu bi-t’vilah
b’mayyim hayyim.
ברוך אתה יי אלוהינו מלך העולם אשר קדישנו בטבילה במים החיים
SECOND IMMERSION
To be read before you immerse:
May God heal me, body and soul.
May my anger cease,
May my strength increase,
May my fears be released,
May blessings, love, and joy surround me. Amen.
This is a moment when the heavens are especially open to your prayers.
Take a moment to express your own heart’s prayers.
Take a deep breath and exhale completely, while gently and completely immersing for the second time.
When you emerge, recite the following:
God of All that Is Was and Will Be,
Empower me to face what is and will be.
Bless my choice of life.
Affirm my wholeness.
And be with me, please, while I slumber,
Allowing the healers to do their work,
So that I awake renewed
With the courage to arise and embrace
This new chapter of my life.
ברוכה את י-ה אשר קדישנו במצווה: ״ובחרת בחיים!״
Blessed are you, YahA name for God, as in "halleluyah" – praise God. Some people prefer this name for God as a non-gendered option., who sanctifies us with the commandment: “Choose life!”
THIRD IMMERSION
Relax, and let your body soften,
as you slowly and completely immerse for the third time.
When you emerge, recite the following:
Blessed are You, Source of Life, Who endows humans with the knowledge and skill to invent and invest, and thus invite the healing of one another.
Blessed is the Eternal One
who grants me the ability
to acknowledge my blessings,
the inner peace to give thanks where thanks is due,
the clarity to choose life,
and the strength to arise anew each day.
ברוך אתה יי אלוהינו מלך העולם שהחיינו, וקיימנו, והגיענו לזמן הזה
Blessed are you, Sovereign of the Universe, who gave me life, sustains me, and brought me to this day.
After you emerge from the mikveh:
Escort or Officiant Recites:
Mi she-bei-rakh a-vo-teinu, M’kor ha-bra-khah l’i-mo-tei-nu:
May the Source of strength Who blessed the ones before us, Help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing, And let us say, Amen. May the Source of Life bless ____ the daughter of ________ who is in need of healing, with a refu-ah sh’lei-ma, The renewal of body, The renewal of spirit. And let us say: Amen.
