The House of Secrets

The House of Secrets PDF Author: Varda Polak-Sahm
Publisher: Beacon Press
ISBN: 9780807077429
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 280

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Book Description
The first inside look at the experiences of women who visit traditional mikvehs-ritual baths used to achieve purityFor Orthodox Jews, immersion in the mikveh-a ritual cleansing bath for women based on purity laws-is the cornerstone of family life. All Orthodox women must immerse in the mikveh before marriage, and Ashkenazi women must immerse every month after their menstrual cycle before sexual relations with their husbands may resume. But while the mikveh has been a tool for the exclusion of women, it has also, surprisingly, become an instrument of women's power-a place men cannot enter and thus cannot control.Roused by her own experiences of immersion, for eleven years Varda Polak-Sahm patiently observed and interviewed Jewish women using the mikveh, gaining unprecedented access to the entirely hidden feminine culture and sensual atmosphere within traditional mikvehs. The result is a richly nuanced, uncensored look at an experience that is for some holy and for others coercive. The House of Secretsgives voice to women from all branches of Judaism as they open up about what the mikveh means to them; how it fits in with their attitudes toward religion; its effect on their marriages and families as well as on their sexual, physical, and spiritual self-perception and on their relationship with God.Already widely praised in Israel, this English translation provides a firsthand account of the power of ritual immersion for the growing number of American Jews interested in reclaiming this practice.

The House of Secrets

The House of Secrets PDF Author: Varda Polak-Sahm
Publisher: Beacon Press
ISBN: 9780807077429
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 280

Get Book Here

Book Description
The first inside look at the experiences of women who visit traditional mikvehs-ritual baths used to achieve purityFor Orthodox Jews, immersion in the mikveh-a ritual cleansing bath for women based on purity laws-is the cornerstone of family life. All Orthodox women must immerse in the mikveh before marriage, and Ashkenazi women must immerse every month after their menstrual cycle before sexual relations with their husbands may resume. But while the mikveh has been a tool for the exclusion of women, it has also, surprisingly, become an instrument of women's power-a place men cannot enter and thus cannot control.Roused by her own experiences of immersion, for eleven years Varda Polak-Sahm patiently observed and interviewed Jewish women using the mikveh, gaining unprecedented access to the entirely hidden feminine culture and sensual atmosphere within traditional mikvehs. The result is a richly nuanced, uncensored look at an experience that is for some holy and for others coercive. The House of Secretsgives voice to women from all branches of Judaism as they open up about what the mikveh means to them; how it fits in with their attitudes toward religion; its effect on their marriages and families as well as on their sexual, physical, and spiritual self-perception and on their relationship with God.Already widely praised in Israel, this English translation provides a firsthand account of the power of ritual immersion for the growing number of American Jews interested in reclaiming this practice.

Secrets of the Mikvah

Secrets of the Mikvah PDF Author: Dovber Pinson
Publisher: Iyyun Publishing
ISBN: 9781733813013
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 266

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Book Description
A comprehensive book on the Ritual Immersion Bath known as the Mikvah.

Waters of Eden

Waters of Eden PDF Author: Aryeh Kaplan
Publisher: Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America/National Conference of Synagogue Youth
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 108

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Book Description
"It has been called the secret of Jewish survival - a mystical connection to the Garden of Eden. What is the Mikvah's fundamental connection to birth, marriage conversaion and death? How does a Mikvah purify? How can a proper understanding of Mikvah bring happiness, freshness and fulfillment to your life? Waters of Eden is a revealing book that explores old myths and prejudices and offers insights never before available to the English reading public. The author Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, gathers concepts from the Bible, Talmud, Midrash, Kabbalah, Zohar, Rashi, Rambam, Ba'al Hatanya, Hirsch and many others.. Waters of Eden is the first attempt to explore the ancient Jewish practice of spiritual purification and immersion, lucidly and attractively in contemporary English." -- Back cover

Secrets of the Mikvah

Secrets of the Mikvah PDF Author: DovBer Pinson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789083004945
Category : Mikveh
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description


A Bond for Eternity

A Bond for Eternity PDF Author: DovBer Pinson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780985201197
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 72

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Book Description
What is the Bris Milah - the 'covenant through circumcision'? What does it represent, symbolize and signify? In this little masterpiece of wisdom -profound yet accessible, Rav DovBer Pinson reveals the deeper meaning of this essential rite of passage and eternal link to the Jewish people. An in depth and sensitive review of a fundamental Mitzvah.

The Poetry of Secrets

The Poetry of Secrets PDF Author: Cambria Gordon
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
ISBN: 1338634194
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 386

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Book Description
Perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys and Elizabeth Wein, this lyrical portrait of hidden identities and forbidden love is set against the harrowing backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition. "An epic, poetic journey. Brimming with romance and historical detail." -- Ruta Sepetys, New York Times Bestselling Author of Salt to the Sea Isabel Perez carries secrets with her every day. As a young woman in 1481, Trujillo, Spain, she should be overjoyed that the alguacil of the city wants to marry her, especially since she and her family are conversos -- Jews forced to convert to Catholicism -- leaving them low in the hierarchy of the new Spanish order. Yet she longs to pursue an independent life filled with poetry and a partner of her own choosing: Diego Altamirano, a young nobleman whose family would never let him court someone with tainted blood like hers. But Isabel's biggest secret is this: Though the Perezes claim to be New Christians, they still practice Judaism in the refuge of their own home. When the Spanish Inquisition reaches her small town determined to punish such judaizers, Isabel finds herself in more danger than she could ever have imagined. Amid the threat of discovery, she and Diego will have to fight for their lives in a quest to truly be free. A timeless love story about identity, religious intolerance, and female empowerment, The Poetry of Secrets will sweep readers away with its lush lyricism and themes that continue to resonate today.

The Family Tabor

The Family Tabor PDF Author: Cherise Wolas
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
ISBN: 0008201218
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 371

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Book Description
‘Hypnotic’ Chicago Review of Books ‘Rich, complex ... vivid’ New York Times Book Review ‘Compelling’ Jewish Week Everything is fine. Everyone is fine.

The Jewish Pregnancy Book

The Jewish Pregnancy Book PDF Author: Sandy Falk
Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
ISBN: 1580231780
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description
In addition to information on medical issues, this book features ancient and modern prayers and rituals for each stage of pregnancy, as well as traditional Jewish wisdom on pregnancy.

Essence to Essence

Essence to Essence PDF Author: Zev Zelenko
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780578609065
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Jewish mysticism

Distant Sisters

Distant Sisters PDF Author: Yehudit Rotem
Publisher: Jewish Publication Society of America
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 250

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Book Description
The growing fascination with the hardships of women in other cultures makes this insider's look at the harsh lives of ultra-orthodox women a relevant and intriguing read. Judith Rotem, divorced her religious husband and his way of life, interviewed dozens of women to give this insight to the women she left behind.National Jewish Book Award Winner.