Category Archives: Jewish History/Culture

Mikveh: Washed in the Blood

Mikveh: Washed in the Blood
John, the priest and prophet, stood at the Jordan River and called people to repentance. If they returned to God, cleansing was available. Last week the purification rite of mikveh was introduced. Becoming ritually clean could involve full immersion; or it may involve touching or sprinkling the same way God instructed the priests to sprinkle…
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Mikveh: Time to Come Clean

Mikveh: Time to Come Clean
Ritual purity laws in the Bible are somewhat of a mystery to us today. Yet in them we see beautiful pictures of God’s provision. It is God who decides what is unclean and what is clean. The ritual cleansing to get from one to the other is called micveh and it must be done with…
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Speaking of being naked …

Speaking of being naked …
There is a rabbinic story from the middle ages that talks about a young Jewish disciple’s observation of the monastic movement. He sees the monks going off into a solitary, ascetic life to know God better. In his own pursuit of God, he asks his rabbi about this practice and perhaps if he should commit…
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Shelter in the Storm

Shelter in the Storm
 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm. Isaiah 32:1-2 Each will be a shelter, a hiding place. Princes (and princesses!) take the lead of their ruler. They represent Him and fulfill His plan. We will…
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