It Is True
Yes, it is true. I am (finally) a Jew. Friday, June 24, 2005, early in the morning, I went before the beit din where my daughter effectively named everyone present (there was Milkshake, Orange Twist, Gartilla and Rabbi). Then she introduced us all by our new names to Rabbi Randy. Such a polite and hospitable daughter I have!
There was me. Rob. Alia. Sue. Margaret. Maggie. Rabbi Susan. Rabbi Randy. Mrs. Pearlman, the mikvah lady.
The mikvah was an interesting and beautiful ritual. Rabbi Susan took Alia to the stairs of the mikvah and they sat. Rabbi Susan had her touch the water and told her the story of where that water came from--both the sky through rain and from Miriam's well. Alia and I went to the dressing bath room and prepared ourselves.
The water was wonderful--warm, clear, magnetic! Alia immersed first. We could only get one dunk out of her. Even though three is preferred, the one was accepted. Then it was my turn. After each dunk and blessing, I was unsteady (I don't really like to put my head under water). The last blessing everyone said with me (yes, they were behind a curtain!) and then they all broke out in song!
Rabbi Susan took Alia and I had some time alone to float in the mikvah and reflect. I didn't want to leave it. I was a little choked up about it. Alia came around the corner and desired to come in with me. She came down the stairs to me and we floated in the mikvah--equally drawn to these ancient waters.
It was a holy moment. That space between entering the waters a non-Jew and exiting the waters a Jew was holy.
There was me. Rob. Alia. Sue. Margaret. Maggie. Rabbi Susan. Rabbi Randy. Mrs. Pearlman, the mikvah lady.
The mikvah was an interesting and beautiful ritual. Rabbi Susan took Alia to the stairs of the mikvah and they sat. Rabbi Susan had her touch the water and told her the story of where that water came from--both the sky through rain and from Miriam's well. Alia and I went to the dressing bath room and prepared ourselves.
The water was wonderful--warm, clear, magnetic! Alia immersed first. We could only get one dunk out of her. Even though three is preferred, the one was accepted. Then it was my turn. After each dunk and blessing, I was unsteady (I don't really like to put my head under water). The last blessing everyone said with me (yes, they were behind a curtain!) and then they all broke out in song!
Rabbi Susan took Alia and I had some time alone to float in the mikvah and reflect. I didn't want to leave it. I was a little choked up about it. Alia came around the corner and desired to come in with me. She came down the stairs to me and we floated in the mikvah--equally drawn to these ancient waters.
It was a holy moment. That space between entering the waters a non-Jew and exiting the waters a Jew was holy.
2 Comments:
Congratulations, Ayelet! :)
For some reason I dreamt last night that I went to the Mikveh, too. Your post brings back many memories. :) I hope you have much happiness and many blessings.
Best wishes,
Barbara (aka Neferu)
Neferu! :) Thank you.
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