Shul Mikvah

In the Talmud it says:hakol min ha isha, everything depends on the woman.

Human beings are different toanimals. We can make choices and not act purely on instinct. We can elevate all our physical actions by bringing G-d into the picture and making them holy.

The Torah mentions mikvah most prominently in connection with the Jewish High Priest, the Kohen Gadol, who immersed in its waters five times during the Yom Kippur services when the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem. Today, the most important use of mikvah is by women, who immerse in it as one step in the cycle of reunion and separation between husband and wife known as Taharat Hamishpacha (family purity).This enables us to bring G-d into the bedroom.

No brief description of the practice of family purity, like the one that follows, can suffice to insure its proper practice. And indeed, no brief description of the benefits of family purity can adequately explain its beauty. Only practicing it can truly convey the remarkable nature of it.

Water is the most spiritual of all the physical elements. The opening passages of Genesis (1-2:22) describe the creation of many impressive things including the earth and mankind. And yet, though water is referred to (The breath of G-d hovered above the face of the waters[Genesis 1:2]), there is no mention of its creation.
Our sages learn from this that water pre-existed our account of creation, and pre-existed the earth itself.

A mikvah, containing waters untouched by human hands because they either fall as rain directly into the mikvah or were fed into it via an underground spring, is the closest thing we have to a piece of heaven on earth. It gives us the opportunity to reunite with our spiritual source.

There is nothing more holy in this world, nothing more precious to its Creator, than the union of a man and a woman. It is, after all, the fountain of life. What could be more precious than life — other than the source from which life comes?

And it is holy” because the first, pristine creation of a human being was as male and female as a single whole. That is the way we exist in G-d’s mind. And so, none of us can achieve wholeness until we regain that original oneness in both body and soul.

Precious things are kept in sealed boxes. Roses hide behind the thorns. There are clothes you wear to work or play, but there are also treasures in your wardrobe so beautiful, of such value, that they come out only at special times. The union of a man and a woman is so precious that if it is treated casually, without conditions or boundaries, it becomes ugly and even destructive. This all goes to explain why in the Jewish way of life there is a cycle of union and separation between husband and wife.

And why the most important institution of Jewish life, next to the home, is the mikvah that stands at the vortex of that cycle. Because precious things only stay beautiful, when you follow the manufacturers instructions.

Jewish life is marked by the notion of Havdalah separation and distinction. On Saturday night, as the Shabbat departs and the new week begins, Jews are reminded of the borders that delineate every aspect of life. In many ways mikvah is the threshold separating the unholy from the holy, but it is even more. Simply put, immersion in a mikvah signals a change in status — more correctly, an elevation in status. Its unparalleled function lies in its power of transformation, its ability to affect metamorphosis.

In the beginning there was only water. A miraculous compound, it is the primary source and vivifying factor of all sustenance and, by extension, all life as we know it. But Judaism teaches it is more. For these very same attributes” water as source and sustaining energy” are mirrored in the spiritual. Water has the power to purify: to restore and replenish life to our essential, spiritual selves.

Immersion in the mikvah is described not only in terms of purification, revitalization, and rejuvenation but also” and perhaps primarily” as rebirth.

The single greatest gift granted by G-d to humankind is Teshuvah” the possibility of return-to start anew and wash away the past. Teshuvah allows man to rise above the limitations imposed by time and makes it possible to affect our life retroactively.

In this way, each woman can link herself to an ongoing tradition that has spanned the generations. Through mikvah she brings herself in immediate contact with the source of life, purity, and holiness” with the G-d who surrounds her and is within her always.

The Sandton mikvah looks like a fashionable spa with luxurious bathrooms, showers, fresh towels, slippers, a comfortable robe, soap, shampoo, nail clippers and all the other essentials necessary are provided.

The Mikvah is open Sunday-Thursday after Tefillah time

Saturday Nights we open ONE HOUR AFTER SHABBOS

On a Friday night and Yom Tov it is by appointment ONLY

There is no Mens Mikvah at Sandton Shul this is only converted once a year for the men to use before Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. There is a mens Mikvah at Torah Academy.

Please contact LYNDA ROMAIN for any questions
Cell: 083 266 8149 Home: 011 883 9196

Sandton Shul Function Hall

Dear Community Member,

In view of the Beth Din having withdrawn Stan & Pete’s Kashrut certification, the exclusive arrangement between BHH and Stan & Pete ceases with immediate effect.

The committee is currently reviewing all possible options as to the best way forward and will revert in due course regarding the new catering arrangements for the function hall.

Should you have any further queries in this regard please do not hesitate to contact me directly on 0824547733 or e-mail tgirnun@waltons.co.za or Harelle Isaacs at the Shul office,
on 011 883 4210.

Kind regards,

Trevor Girnun
Vice President

Minnie Bersohn Pre-Primary School prides itself on being a child-centred environment offering a variety of quality learning experiences for all our children, from playschool through to Grade R. We are focused on educating each child so that they are able to reach their full potential in a loving, nurturing environment.

In addition to formal teaching and learning methods, the children are also taught in a creative manner through stories, songs and games which develop enthusiasm, excitement and interest. Our teachers continuously attend workshops, lectures and conferences thus keeping up-to-date with world-wide trends in education.

At Minnie Bersohn, we are passionate about giving young children an opportunity to develop a love for and understanding of Orthodox Judaism.  Shabbat rings, Jewish festivals and Hebrew are an integral part of the curriculum. The school provides an environment conducive to the holistic development of the child, offering an array of varied age-appropriate activities. It also boasts 3 magnificent playgrounds.

We are confident that after their fun-filled years at Minnie Bersohn, our children graduate equipped with the education, life skills and confidence necessary to tackle the challenges of Primary School.

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