As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on and social distancing remains in effect here in New York City, we are still faced with many rituals we cannot complete in person. One of these rituals is the Beit DinRabbinic court consisting of three rabbis or learned members of the Jewish community./Immersion process for our conversion students, which we usually would convene at 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.. Given that our community had a number of students who were ready to complete their conversion studies, but no solid estimate as to when we could safely return to the mikveh, we wanted to give these students an option to ritualize their conversions virtually. (It should be noted that all of our students will have the opportunity to go to mikveh in the future, should they wish.)
Clearly, we could conduct the Beit Din via Zoom, but what ritual could we employ to mark the moment? I had two basic criteria: 1) The ritual must be comfortably completed while in quarantine. 2) It must incorporate water, thereby echoing the mikveh though not necessarily approximating it. As such, I created this hand-washing ceremony to accompany the virtual Beit Din. The bonus with this ritual is that the hand-washing blessing can be woven quite seamlessly into these students’ lives going forward. Please feel free to use this ritual and/or adapt as you see fit.
Items needed:
– ritual hand-washer or pitcher or cup
– towel
1) Take a moment to consider this water ritual. Think about the waters that have flowed through the history of Judaism, and continue to flow through us still. God created the earth by separating the waters. God remade the Earth with the flood generations later in the time of Noah. God redeemed the Israelites from slavery and ushered them to freedom, as they moved through the parted waters of the Red Sea. Our Patriarchs and Matriarchs often met at the well. Relationships were initiated by the water, marriages made in its reflection. IsaacAbraham and Sarah's much-longed-for son and the second Jewish patriarch. Isaac is nearly sacrificed by his father at God's command (Genesis 22). He is married to Rebecca and is the father of Esau and Jacob. His Hebrew name is Yitzchak. dug wells to connect to the memory of his father. JacobLit. heel Jacob is the third patriarch, son of Isaac and Rebecca, and father to the twelve tribes of Israel. More than any of the other patriarchs, Jacob wrestles with God and evolves from a deceitful, deal-making young man to a mature, faithful partner to God. His Hebrew name is Yaakov. discovered his inner strength at the well. It is said that MiriamMiriam is the sister of Moses and Aaron. As Moses' and Aaron's sister she, according to midrash, prophesies Moses' role and helps secure it by watching over the young baby, seeing to it that Pharaoh's daughter takes him and that the baby is returned to his mother for nursing. During the Israelites' trek through the desert, a magical well given on her behalf travels with the Israelites, providing water, healing, and sustenance. was accompanied by a well of water, and it is said that water sustained our people through those long days and nights in the desert. Water renews. Water revives. Water nourishes the body, mind and soul. Today, this water bridges past to present, as you immerse your hands in its flowing stream.
2) Take the ritual washer in your hands. Think about its significance for this moment, and then reflect on a time when you might use it again. How are the two connected? How will this washer tell part of your unique Jewish story?
3) Fill up the washer with water (ensure you have a clean towel nearby).
4) Close your eyes. Breathe in this moment. Honor the work, the time and the energy you have expended to reach this milestone. Honor your agency in this process. Recall your journey. Let the memories flood your mind as you think of those who have joined you on this path, those who have supported you and those who have served as your guides. Acknowledge them in your heart.
5) Now, as you prepare to wash, recite these words from RuthAn important female biblical character with her own book. The Book of Ruth, read on Shavuot, tells the story of Ruth’s devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and their return to Israel. Ruth’s story is often read as the first story of conversion. Ruth is the grandmother of King David.: “Ruth said: Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you.”
6) Lift up the washer in your right hand. As you pour from right to left, recite these words (from Ruth) with each pour:
Pour 1: “For wherever you go”
Pour 2: “I will go”
Pour 3: “Wherever you lodge, I will lodge.”
7) Now move the washer to your left hand. As you pour from left to right, recite these words (from Ruth) with each pour:
Pour 1: “Your people will be my people”
Pour 2: “And your God my God”
Pour 3: “Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.”
8) With your hands wet, lift them up and allow the water to drip freely from them. (Our prayer is called “netilat yadayim” for the lifting of the hands). One way our handwashing prayer has been interpreted over the years is through the lens of action; we wash to remind ourselves that the work of our hands is essential to the work of repairing the world. Our hands have the power to do good. Our hands have the power to build bridges. Our hands have the power to help and heal and comfort.
With your hands raised before you:
- Reflect on the power and capability of your own hands.
- Reflect on your evolving identity, and how your Jewish identity will impact the work of your hands.
- Reflect on the tradition and heritage you now officially carry. How will your acceptance of Judaism inform your choices, your priorities and your perspective?
9) Recite Netilat Yadayim:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדַיִם
Barukh atah adonay eloheynu melekh ha-olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al netilat yadayim.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us concerning the washing of the hands.
10) Dry your hands and rejoice in the moment!
Together we will offer the Shehekheyanu, our prayer of gratitude for having reached this milestone:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמָן הַזֶּה
Barukh atah adonay eloheynu melekh ha-olam shehekheyanu vi-kimanu vi-higiyanu la-z’man ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
Originally published on RavBlog.
