Message from the Chairman of the Oram Mikvahs, Mr. Eyal Mashiach
Rabbi Akiva said, “Praiseworthy are you, Israel!
Before whom do you purify yourselves, and who purifies you?
Your Father in heaven,
As it says, ‘And I shall sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean,’
And it says, ‘G-d is the mikvah of Israel,’
Just as a mikvah purifies the impure…
So too does G-d purify Israel.”
(Mishna, Tractate Yoma 8:9)
Ever since the Torah was given to the Jewish nation at Mount Sinai three thousand years ago, Jewish women have done everything in their power to keep the mitzvah of ritual purity – perhaps the most special mitzvah in a woman’s life. This mitzvah imparts a sense of constant renewal and emphasizes the power of life.
Mikvahs chiseled out of the stone have been discovered in every location where Jews once settled, dating back to ancient times. Even during the difficult periods of exile, wherever Jewish communities were scattered, women continued to adhere to the laws of purity. They would leave their homes at nightfall in generations when there were no street lamps, carefully keeping to the roadsides as they made their way to the mikvah in the dark. Nothing could stop them, even the frigid temperatures of winter; women immersed themselves in springs and rivers, in frozen wells of water, breaking the ice and risking their lives. They often even left their city limits and headed for dark and desolate bodies of water, all for the sake of fulfilling the mitzvah of ritual purity.
This endless dedication was and still is a great source of merit for us, illuminating our paths. Thanks to this wonderful mitzvah, the Jewish nation merited immense spiritual richness, remarkable wisdom and understanding and strength of spirit that gave us the power to survive through two thousand years of exile – a lamb between seventy wolves. The Jewish nation was able to overcome anything due to the merit of this powerful mitzvah.
Then as now, many Jewish women continue to follow in the footsteps of our mothers, carefully keeping the laws of purity. They merit this special sense of ongoing renewal and spirituality. Our generation has been privileged to see more and more women expressing an interested in joining this special circle of purity.
To help these women, and to solidify our heritage of Jewish purity among the general public, Oram Mikvahs was established.
Oram Mikvah’s Activity to Promote Purity:
- • Construction of mikvahs throughout the country and renovation of existing mikvahs at a very high level of design. After renovation, these mikvahs lose their outdated look and become new and beautiful. Each mikvah is equipped with the best quality fixtures and design details at the level of a luxury spa – as is fitting for this important mitzvah. Our rabbis say that one of the purposes of the mitzvah of family purity is for the woman to be endeared by her husband “like a bride entering her wedding canopy” (Niddah 31b). To achieve this, every woman who comes to a mikvah that is built, renovated and maintained by Oram Mikvahs is received like a bride on her wedding night, with respect and attention, and enjoys a unique experience with even the smallest details carefully considered. This wonderful service is provided warmly to each and every woman without exception. As a result, women leaving the mikvah feel that they have undergone an energizing experience that gives them strength and a sense of serenity. Many women eagerly anticipate returning the next month. It’s no wonder that in every location where Oram Mikvahs has built or renovated a mikvah, the number of women who use the mikvah has doubled and even tripled.
- • In many communities throughout Israel and in the cities on the periphery, the mikvahs do not meet the needs of the constantly growing populations. Even in big cities, there are not enough mikvahs, and women often need to travel to the other side of the city to use a mikvah. This is especially difficult on Friday night and holidays, when many women need to walk long distances by foot in order to use the mikvah. Oram Mikvahs is dedicated to petitioning the municipalities and local authorities to establish new mikvahs for the benefit of the population who needs them.
- • In addition, Oram Mikvahs has established a planning and construction department that aids religious and local councils interested in building mikvahs or renovating them. This department includes Halachic advisors, architects, contractors and interior designers of the highest quality. Adhering to “green construction” standards and properly planning and organizing the budget, we aim to achieve the best possible results.
- • Mikvah attendants project – Oram Mikvahs is dedicated to training mikvah attendants throughout the country. The organization offers unique workshops to teach them how to receive the women coming to the mikvah in the best possible way and with the highest level of sensitivity and care, so that the women have a wonderful experience.
I hope and pray to G-d that we will merit, together with all of Oram Mikvah’s supporters and friends, to continue to advance this holy and important endeavor.
Eyal Mashiach