The “seven clean days” have come to an end. A new stage begins.
Now that the processes of creation in a woman’s body are largely complete, she immerses herself in the waters of the mikveh—natural waters symbolizing nature as it was created during the seven days of Creation, that is, before human intervention.
This act takes a woman from the state of “niddah”—ritual impurity, in which she had been—to the state of “taharah”—ritual purity, when marital relations are once again permitted.
This new stage can be likened to summer, when flowers are in full bloom and fruit is fully ripe. The time has come to rejoice in them and enjoy them.
The reason a woman must immerse in a mikveh is certainly not hygienic. A woman does not immerse in a mikveh in order to wash away physical dirt.
The laws of purification through immersion are among those chukim, the Torah’s inexplicable laws, which we have already discussed.
And although, as we know, their meaning is beyond our comprehension, many women feel the immediate effect of immersion—a spiritual uplift and inner renewal.
When a woman returns home with a sense of inner renewal and attraction to her husband, and her husband is waiting for her at home (perhaps even with a cake or flowers), they both experience a very special joy—the joy of reunion after separation.
Immersion
Today, mikvaot are built in strict accordance with sanitary regulations and equipped with the most modern amenities.
In addition to the mikveh itself, the mikveh building has comfortable bathrooms with a bathtub, shower, and various toiletries for preparing for immersion. The mikveh itself is a small pool of heated water. Steps lead down into the pool. The water is about 120 cm deep, so that it is comfortable to stand in the pool. At this depth, immersion is easy.
Only immersion in a kosher mikveh is valid. No other washing brings spiritual purification, and the woman remains in a state of niddah.
Preparing for Immersion
At the moment of immersion, all parts of the body (including the hair) must be covered by water at the same time, so that the water touches the entire surface of the body and there is no barrier between the body and the water.
Therefore, before immersion a woman washes thoroughly with hot water and soap and carefully combs her hair so that it is not tangled.
In addition, fingernails and toenails should be trimmed, and she should make sure there is no dirt beneath them. She must also brush her teeth thoroughly.
The laws can be studied in greater depth and detail with the help of a female teacher who specializes in them or through halachic literature.
Checking
After washing and before immersion, a woman must check that she has not forgotten to remove anything that could form a barrier to the water: a watch, rings, jewelry, contact lenses, hair clips, adhesive bandages, and so on.
The Blessing for Immersion
Since immersion is a mitzvah, a blessing is recited for it:
Baruch Atah A-do-nai Elo-heinu Melech ha-olam asher kideshanu be-mitzvotav ve-tzivanu al ha-tevilah.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning immersion.