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A Messianic Mikveh
by Chaia Kravitz
The tradition of the mikveh goes back to the time of the Levitical priests. Let's explore the roots and significance of the mikveh in Messianic Jewish life. Most Jewish people will cringe at the concept of baptism. It sounds incredibly non-Jewish; something that is only done in churches. However, they would be very surprised to discover that baptism originates out of the Jewish tradition of mikveh. In Biblical times, going to the mikveh, a special area of water, either living water like a lake or a specially-constructed pool, was done for both physical and spiritual purification. Women would visit the mikveh after their monthly flow (Leviticus 15). Priests would purify themselves during times of making sacrifices in the Temple. Those afflicted with a dreaded skin condition (referred to nowadays as leprosy) would use the mikveh as part of the healing process. Today, Orthodox women still visit the mikveh after their monthly flow and often after intimate relations. Orthodox men go to the mikveh to prepare for Shabbat and Holy Days. Sometimes, even secular Jewish people go to the mikveh once in their lifetimes, before marriage. As well, gentiles who convert to Rabbinic Judaism must go to the mikveh as one of the final stages in the conversion. At the mikveh, one immerses themself in the water. The Hebrew word for immerse is t'vilah. The closest word in Greek for t'vilah is baptidzo. Thus, the connection between this ancient Jewish tradition and the modern idea of baptism. The mikveh is very important in the Messianic Jewish life. Being immersed in the mikveh is an outward sign of salvation in Yeshua. It is a symbolic sign of being washed clean and being reborn. Even Yeshua Himself was immersed (Matthew 13-15). As followers of Yeshua, it is only natural to want to take this step, just as He did. As well, various passages in Scripture emphasize the importance of water immersion for a Believer: In Matthew 28:19-20 Yeshua says - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.In Mark 16:15-16, Yeshua says - Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Acts 2:36-38 - "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins..." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. These verses show that mikveh is the next logical step for a Believer to take after coming to faith through Yeshua and is extremely important in terms of spiritual completion. Contrary to what you may believe, a mikveh does not have to be done in a church. You don't need a minister or elders, and you don't have to go to a bunch of classes before taking the step. All that is required is a body of water and some witnesses. Messianic Mikvehs are often done at lakes or rivers -- in Matthew 3:1-6 Yochanan was immersing people outside -- but mikvehs can also be done in swimming pools, or even a large bathtub. The water has to be deep enough and the structure wide enough for you to totally immerse yourself in it. Before your immersion, you can give a short testimony about how you came to faith in Yeshua. There are also some prayers that one of your witnesses can say: Baruch atah Adonai, eloheynu melech ha'olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al ha-t'vilah, b'shem Ha'Av, Yeshua HaMashiach v'Ruach HaKodesh. Amen. Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe who has sanctified us by his commandments and commanded us concerning the immersion, in the name of the Father, Yeshua the Messiah and the Holy Spirit. Amen.Baruch atah Adonai, eloheynu melech ha'olam, shehekhyanu v'kiymanu v'higiyanu lazman ha'zeh. Amen. Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe who has given us life, sustained us and brought us to this time. Amen. To make the occasion even more memorable, don't be shy to ask someone to take pictures. Have a small guestbook for your witnesses to sign with personal messages. You can even order Messianic Mikveh certificates from some Messianic giftstores online, or even make one of your own if you are handy with a computer and desktop publishing software, that can be personalized with your name, the date, the place of your mikveh, and the signatures of some of the witnesses. Copyright 2002
- Romans 1:16, NIV |