Tevilat

Tevilat is the Hebrew term for ritual immersion, a practice in Jewish law that serves to purify individuals or objects after events that render them ceremonially impure. The immersion is performed in a mikveh, a specially constructed body of water that meets strict halachic criteria: it must contain a minimum volume of naturally sourced water, such as rain, spring or well water, and be permanently connected to a natural source. The mikveh may also include a small artificial component, but the majority of the water must be natural.

The procedure requires the individual or object to be completely submerged, ensuring that no part of the body or item remains outside the water. The immersion is accompanied by a specific supplication, and the person must be fully clothed, though certain garments may be removed if they contain impurities. The immersion produces a state of ritual purity and is a prerequisite for many religious activities, such as marriage, the consumption of certain foods, and the performance of various commandments.

Tevilat is rooted in biblical injunctions, where the commandment to immerse after contact with a corpse or certain impurities is first found in Leviticus. Over centuries, rabbinic literature has elaborated the technical details of what constitutes a valid mikveh, the duration of immersion, and the legal status of various types of waters.

While primarily a religious practice, tevilat has also had social and cultural implications. In modern Judaism, the establishment and maintenance of mikvaot are considered essential for the observance of many mitzvot and for community life, especially in Orthodox and Conservative circles. The practice remains a living expression of the covenantal relationship between the Jewish people and the divine, linking ancient law to contemporary faith practice.