PARSHAT TAZRIA

RETURNING TO EDEN

"Nevertheless, a fountain or pit wherein there is a gathering of water, shall be clean..." (Vayikra 11:36). A central theme in Parshat Shemini is immersing in the mikvah, which is one of the three primary mitzvot designated for the Jewish woman, in addition to taking challah and lighting Shabbath candles. Immersing in a mikvah has the power to change the status of either a person or a vessel by spiritually purifying it. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan explains in Waters of Eden that the purpose of the mikvah is to bring us back to the Garden of Eden, from where we were expelled when partaking from the Tree of Knowledge. Immersing in the mikvah enables us to rise from the fallen state caused by eating from the Tree of Knowledge and reconnects us with the perfected state of Eden. An allusion to this is found in the word mikvah (î÷åä) which has the same Hebrew letters as the word koma (÷åîä) , meaning "rising" or "standing tall." Since human mortality is also a consequence of this fallen state, returning to the Garden of Eden requires purification from everything associated with death by immersing in the mikvah. Menstruation is related to death as it implies the loss of potential life. Therefore, the Torah requires the Jewish woman to prepare herself for marital relations by purifying herself spiritually in the waters of the mikvah after her monthly period. The reason why it is required to immerse in the mikvah for the sacredness of marital intimacy, and for ritual purity prior to entering the Holy Temple, is that these are ways to re-enter the Garden of Eden in a spiritual sense.

RELATIONSHIP LIKE WATER

The word mikvah is used mainly in connection with water as in the verse: "a gathering of water." Water is fluid and embodies the essence of impermanence and flexibility in that it will make room for any object placed in its midst. For a relationship to work, we need the flexibility of water that embraces whomever immerses in it. When we are too fixated on the way we expect things to be done, we get into fights and confrontations. Letting go of expectations allows us to adapt to the needs of someone else and merge with him or her.
The ways of womanhood teach us to become naturally inclined towards flexibility. Pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing all contribute to our ability to make room for another human being. Perhaps this is why women associate with the waters of the mikvah. We have been blessed with the ability to bring the experiences of our life cycle into our relationships and teach ourselves, our spouses and our children to overcome egocentric attitudes and behavior.

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Presented by Midreshet B'erot Bat Ayin Wellsprings of Jewish Learning.