Water is considered to be a purifier in most religions and ritual washing is an important element in most major world religions. Within Judaism the mikvah, ritual bath, is an important practice to Jewish adherents and is considered a mitzvah, good deed. Adult women are the largest demographic frequenting mikvahs, most making monthly visits corresponding to their menstrual cycle. Although women are the main visitors, the mikvah also attracts men for three specific purposes. Like women, men attend mikvah for pre-marital purification, Rosh Hashanah cleansing and conversion rituals. Lastly, mikvahs are a mandatory element of conversion from non-Jewish to any form of Judaism as well as conversion from reform to conservative traditions, conservative …show more content…
Before entering the spa like pool, one must be as naked as they where when they entered the world. Preparing for submersion involves bathing, shaving and removing any jewelry or nail polish. The mikvah attendant will check that under the fingernails has been properly cleaned and no stray hairs are on the physically clean body. Any foreign contaminants render the purification invalid. Once the person has entered the mikvah they are to submerge three times, reciting a prayer each submersion. Once surfacing from the third submersion, the individual is in a state of ritual purity.
A mikvah is more than an indoor pool in terms of structure. Many distinct features are required for a mikvah to be considered kosher. Firstly, it must contain a minimum of 200 gallons of water. The water sources must consist of a ratio of *fresh flowing water and tap water. Most mikvahs actually have two basins of water- one in use and another, which is usually not seen, to store the fresh water. These two pools of water are connected via a circle required to be the size of two average fingers, located at the bottom of the wall separating the
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Some of the criticisms of the mikvah include that the state of impurity is caused by a woman’s menstruation and therefore, according to Jewish family purity teachings, a woman’s body is ultimately impure without this ritual cleaning. Because the emphasis is placed on the female body causing the impurity and the male body mostly acts as a receiver, it is argued that these Jewish teachings are sexist. While this argument it compelling, many Jewish women have disagreed and spoken up in favour of the purity teachings. These women *argue that they develop a more body conscious outlook and feel empowered by the structure provided by the family purity teachings. These women also claim to have a better understanding of their menstrual cycle and awareness of
I agree with Edgerton’s argument that cultures that practice exploitation should be judged morally inferior to those that enhance people’s lives. Islamic and African cultures, Kazio cultures, and Hamer tribe do not enhance women’s lives. Using my own cultural lens, I believe that women deserve to choose what they want to do with their bodies and without being shunned by their own cultures, I believe that women should not feel so inferior to men simply because they were born that way, and I do not believe that there should be any rituals or practices performed that damage or exploit the women in any way. Because these cultures do not enhance women’s live, they should be deemed inferior.
Such purpose can be examined through considering various rituals; the stand before Allah "wuquf", the stoning of the pillars at Mina, the commemoration of the festival of sacrifice "Id-ul-Adha", the circling of the Ka'bah and drawing water from the well of Zamzam. Such rituals give example to a profound meaning of the Islamic faith and upon completion, the individual is fulfilling the ultimate goal of Islam, a more perfect submission to Allah. Commemoration of the restoration of the individual and the forgiveness of sin is central when examining the primary ritual of the Hajj: the stand before Allah, “wuquf”. It resembles the disobedience of Adam and Eve and the forgiveness of their sin, which is of great significance to the Muslim pilgrim. The forgiveness and restoration experienced by Adam and Eve gives assurance that Allah is willing to forgive people today.
...al and traditional beliefs. Women make their decision about whether to have sex during menstrual cycle by finding and comparing information from various sources. The decisions women make are closely related to their cultural, social and religious backgrounds. Uniquely to Judaism,the laws regarding menstruation are made to intensify the arousal, attractiveness and desire at the very emotional level in husbands and wives to promote emotional and not only physical closeness during sexual intimacy. The law of family purity is not intended to humiliate women or make them feel unclean, but rather it is clear that monthly period is a powerful gift from God ,that serves to preserve the close and healthy relationship between husbands and wives, and progress to the different stages of growth in a marriage.
In regards to the impurity of menstruation is an area in which a change from biblical to rabbinic law happens (Wasserfall pg. 60). Holiness Code in Leviticus twice states the absolute prohibition of sexual intercourse of a married couple while the wife has her menstrual period (Wasserfall pg.60). This innovation is the invention of the rabbi as an expert on menstrual blood, as the authority to be consulted by women thus displacing women as authorities over their own bodies (Wasserfall pg. 61).
In the Hindu tradition, women are to be respected and should not be mistreated since they are considered a gift from gods under a pledge. Women are also considered aspects of Nature or the embodiment of Universal Mother in her aspect of pure energy. The tradition prohibits harassment and negligence towards women and states that it is the man’s duty to protect and take care of his wife until the end. Women in the Hindu tradition play a secondary role since Hinduism is a predominantly male dominated religion. It is their duty to help their husband perform obligatory duties and enable him to continue his family tradition. It is also the wife’s duty to give birth to children and to take care of
Women have been submitted to believe they live to care for their household and to respect men as the ones with absolute authority. Girls are expected to help the mothers with their younger siblings and helping care for the house. Women are taught that they need prepare themselves to be the best wifes. Being punished physically, mentally, and verbally is viewed as normal and acceptable when the women are not up to the expectations of the man. These gender norms are implemented into young girls life by their parents, society, and history.
Judaism 101: Expressions and Greetings. Web. 9 Sep. 2011. . “Intermarriage Q&A.”
Judith Lorder writes in Night to His Day: The Social Construction of Gender, "talking about gender for most people is equivalent of fish talking about water" because gender is so routine that its "assumptions and presuppositions" are taken for granted and left unquestioned and unchallenged. Institutions such as religion has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of years and has teachings that are outright sexist, which limits lives of women because it creates the idea that there are just two extremes and no in-between : the virgin or the whore. Men do not have to face persecution or tyranny in instutions and social systems have a patriarchal foundation. Gender inequity operates within instutions because the institutions are in the control of men who are privileged from the gender inequity. Institutions limit women 's lives by excluding women who do not conform to their expectations or follow their "rules." The rules or norms within these instutitions were determined by men which explains why women 's problems or limitations are not a concern for
“Reform Judaism developed out of a need for internal religious changes and because of wider factors operating in society at large” (Romain). In the origin of Reform Judaism, many ideas presented were controversial and highly debated, such as women’s rights and homosexuality. Many Jewish beliefs arose from the literal reading of the scriptures, but, with Reform Judaism, the scriptures are read with a more interpretive and open viewpoint, so the scriptures can coincide with contemporary beliefs (Romain). This interpretive reading helps solve the controversial and debated questions that arise in Judaism. As Reform Judaism grew, it spread further into civilization and intermingled with those who were not Jewish. Historically, the marriage of non-Jewish and Jewish individuals was prohibited, but Reform Judaism paved the way for more liberties in marriage (Ellenson). Also with the spread into further civilizations, many Jews did not learn Hebrew, and, therefore, Jewish ceremonies were “no longer conducted solely in Hebrew, but in a mixture of Hebrew and English” (Romain). Ceremonies were also conducted in different ways, such as “omitting sections of the liturgy if they no longer corresponded to what Jews believed. Out went prayers for the restoration of animal sacrifices” (Romain). Because of its open ideologies and lenient restrictions., Reform Judaism is the most popular branch of Judaism
They are more than just household workers, caretakers of children and materials of pleasure. Women are underestimated because they show off a gentle and very caring side making others think that they can be easily fooled and that they cannot progress. The greatest challenge of women empowerment is changing the stereotypes that have existed in many cultures. For example, female genital cutting shows the discrimination of women. This practice is offensive to human rights and should be eradicated. Although it is difficult to break out of tradition, it has to be broken because it shows a wrong use of religion and tradition. The society has tolerated it for so long; it takes a special person to say that it’s wrong, someone who has great power over the people such as the leaders or other people who see the bigger picture. The female who was an expert in doing female circumcision mentioned that cutting itself is a source of income for her and she would abandon the practice if given another kind of source of income. This shows a capitalist structure in their
One balmy summer morning my friends convinced me to come swim in Grapevine Lake, which would be very enticing if I was a strong swimmer or had any swimming experience whatsoever. However, I’m not going to ruin a good, scorching summer day staying home wasting my time playing video
Water purification and a wastewater treatment plants would be necessary in order to provide the citizens and visitors with clean healthy water. To prevent flooding, this city was built on flood plains.
In an age where bustles, petticoats, and veils stifled women physically, it is not surprising that society imposed standards that stifled them mentally. Women were molded into an ideal form from birth, with direction as to how they should speak, act, dress, and marry. They lacked education, employable skills, and rights in any form. Every aspect of their life was controlled by a male authority figure starting with their father at birth and persisting through early womanhood into marriage where it was the husband who possessed control. Men believed that it was the law of the bible for one of the two parties to be superior and the other inferior. Women were ruled over as children and were to be seen, but not heard.
The whole person, body, and soul are involved in worship. There are many rites of purification for individuals and communities. Religious sacredness is preserved in ritual, in dress and in the arrangements of the places of worship. The sick are healed in rites, which involve their families and the community. Some of the traditional blessings are rich and very meaningful.
9. Check the water depth before entering. The American Red Cross recommends nine feet as a minimum depth for diving or jumping.