It is a longtime Jewish tradition for Jews to immerse in the mikveh (ritual bath) before the High Holidays of Rosh HashanahThe Jewish New Year, also considered the Day of Judgment. The period of the High Holidays is a time of introspection and atonement. The holiday is celebrated with the sounding of the shofar, lengthy prayers in synagogue, the eating of apples and honey, and round challah for a sweet and whole year. Tashlikh, casting bread on the water to symbolize the washing away of sins, also takes place on Rosh Hashana. and Yom KippurThe holiest day of the Jewish year and the culmination of a season of self-reflection. Jews fast, abstain from other worldly pleasures, and gather in prayers that last throughout the day. Following Ne'ilah, the final prayers, during which Jews envision the Gates of Repentance closing, the shofar is sounded in one long blast to conclude the holy day. It is customary to begin building one's sukkah as soon as the day ends.. As we begin the process of teshuvah (return, repentance) we invite you to ask: What does the spirit of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur look like to you? What are you ready to let go of from this past year? What are you bringing with you in to the New Year? Perhaps you’ll find these answers in the warm waters of 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..
Shed your struggles, turn to forgiveness, and emerge from the living waters with an open heart for the new year ahead.
KavanahLit. 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. (intention)
To be read before preparing for immersion:
To be read before preparing for immersion:
Water is God’s gift to living souls,
To clear us, to purify us,
To sustain us and renew us.
As I immerse myself in mayim hayyim, living waters,
I begin a new cycle in my life.
May my entry into the waters of the mikveh
mark the beginning of the journey that lays ahead.
To clear us, to purify us,
To sustain us and renew us.
As I immerse myself in mayim hayyim, living waters,
I begin a new cycle in my life.
May my entry into the waters of the mikveh
mark the beginning of the journey that lays ahead.
TevilahThe act of immersion in the ritual bath (mikveh). (immersion)
To be read at the mikveh’s edge before you enter the water:
To be read at the mikveh’s edge before you enter the water:
May I begin this year fresh and open to the possibility of transformation.
FIRST IMMERSION
Slowly descend the steps into the mikveh waters and immerse completely so that every part of your body is covered by the warm water. When you emerge, recite the following blessing:
Slowly descend the steps into the mikveh waters and immerse completely so that every part of your body is covered by the warm water. When you emerge, recite the following blessing:
Barukh atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melekh ha’olam asher kidshanu bitvilah bemayyim hayyim.
Though the future is uncertain, I release this past year with all its difficulties and joys.
I open my heart to receive the blessings of the New Year.
I open my heart to receive the blessings of the New Year.
SECOND IMMERSION
Take a deep breath and exhale completely, while gently and completely immersing for the second time. When you emerge, recite the following:
Take a deep breath and exhale completely, while gently and completely immersing for the second time. When you emerge, recite the following:
Hashiveinu Adonai, eilekha venashuvah.
Turn us to You, Adonai, and we shall return.
May I return to my true self and be strengthened as I continue my journey of tikkun halev — repairing the heart, tikkun hanefesh —r epairing the soul and tikkun olam — repairing the world.
THIRD IMMERSION
Take a moment for personal reflection. Relax, and let your body soften, as you slowly and completely immerse for the third time. When you emerge, choose one of the following prayers:
Take a moment for personal reflection. Relax, and let your body soften, as you slowly and completely immerse for the third time. When you emerge, choose one of the following prayers:
A Full Life
O Life of the world
Grant me a full life —
A life which may be considered long
Because it has been filled with
Right living
And considered rich
Because it has been filled with
Holy acts
O Life of the world
Grant me a full life —
A life which may be considered long
Because it has been filled with
Right living
And considered rich
Because it has been filled with
Holy acts
Hashiveinu Adonai, eilekha venashuvah.
Prayer for the New Year
May it be Your will, Majestic Spirit of the universe,
to grant us,
all your people IsraelLit. ''the one who struggles with God.'' Israel means many things. It is first used with reference to Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel (Genesis 32:29), the one who struggles with God. Jacob's children, the Jewish people, become B'nai Israel, the children of Israel. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel. and all the world
A year of blessing,
A year of prosperity,
A year of peace and tranquility.
Show us your compassion
And guide us in your ways.
May it be Your will, Majestic Spirit of the universe,
to grant us,
all your people IsraelLit. ''the one who struggles with God.'' Israel means many things. It is first used with reference to Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel (Genesis 32:29), the one who struggles with God. Jacob's children, the Jewish people, become B'nai Israel, the children of Israel. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel. and all the world
A year of blessing,
A year of prosperity,
A year of peace and tranquility.
Show us your compassion
And guide us in your ways.
