Total Immersion: A Mikvah Anthology (Paperback)

~ Rivkah Slonim (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

In Total Immersion Rivkah Slonim has assembled a much-needed and delightfully constructed anthology about one of the most central rituals in Jewish family life. Much neglected and misunderstood, Mikvah lies at the heart of the beauty and spirituality of the marital relationship, endowing it with a unique dimension of sanctity and grace. There can be few areas of religious life more in need of rediscovery, and I know of no more informative and moving introduction than the essays contained in this book. --Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Saks

This is a remarkable book, unlike any I've seen on Mikvah or, for that matter, on any aspect of Jewish practice. Philosophical reflections, history, essays for and by men, personal vignettes that pierce to the heart -- all combine to make a masterpiece. If you're interested in Mikvah, and even if you're not, you must dip into this unique testimony to Jewish women's experience and thought. Perhaps you too will come to cherish total immersion. --Tamar Frankiel, author of The Voice of Sarah

Through theory and thought, personal experience and story, the contributors show how the sexual and the sacred converge, transcending blood taboos and accusations of misogyny to create a source of spiritual and physical renewal.... --Publishers Weekly

Product Description

In this best-selling collection of almost fifty essays and stories about the mikvah (the Jewish ritual bath), women and men contribute their thoughts on this ancient Jewish tradition. The issues of mikvah and Jewish family purity are addressed from philosophic, psychological, mystical, legal, practical, historical and personal points of view.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 319 pages
• Publisher: Beit-Or-Vilnay; 2nd revised edition (February 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9657108683
• ISBN-13: 978-9657108680
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #903,626 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of 2nd edition of Total Immersion: A Mikvah Anthology, May 23, 2006

By	Jewish "Jewish" (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

While all of the essays in this book about Jewish women's use of the ritual baths are beautiful and well written, the one by Sara Lejderman of Sweden touched me the most. She was sexually abused as a child, as a teen, and then as a woman. She managed to survive that and become a successful wife and mother, and yet she constantly felt contaminated. The story of her "cure" is a gift to all readers who ever needed to overcome any challenge (which is all of us). May G-d bless Sara Lejderman with good health, happiness, and peace of mind, every day of her life. Even without ever meeting her, I love her.-- Jewish, NY,USA

26 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Total Immersion in the beauty of Judaism, August 5, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Total Immersion: A Mikvah Anthology (Hardcover)

I read this book with an open, but skeptical heart. I am a recent convert to Judaism, single, and searching for where I am comfotrable in the plethora of traditions and decisions, and the question of niddah and mikvah observances arose. I have always been interested in the tradition, but it wasn't until I stepped into a mikvah myself that I felt the embracing arms of Judaism so completely. Ms. Slonim et al., have put together a wonderful collection of facts and personal stories. I cried when I realized there were other women out there who felt the same way I did, though it is never discussed. While reading this I felt a sisterhood, in a way, that I've never felt. I no longer have to feel ashamed, scared of being the only one. Thank you Ms. Slonim, thank you. Todah. Shalom

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not for fanatics only, April 5, 2009

By	Jewish princess "the princess" (on the run) - See all my reviews

So I just finished Total Immersion 2nd edition from 2006. A girlfriend gave it to me Hanukka of that year and I thought it was going to be boring so I put off reading it for all this time. But I was really pleasantly surprised. Judaism's three pillars are Shabbat, kosher and mikveh. Everybody knows what Shabbat and Kosher is. But what in the world is mikveh? And is it only religious fanatics who use it?
This anthology is brilliant because it talks about every conceivable aspect of mikveh. Who uses it. Why they use it. How to use it. What the myths are. What the truth is. All sorts of women use it: there are women who are not at all religious, women who don't want kids, women who are feminists and still use it. We get to hear stories from a convert, academics, a rape victim, someone who lost friend in terror attack, all sorts of different women and even men. I think all the differences are what make it so interesting to read. I thought it was going to be one of those religious pushy books, but it is really cool and fascinating.
This is a great education on mikveh - the what, where, why, who and when.