Mivtza Taharas Hamishpacha
The Mivtza Taharas Hamishpacha was first declared by the Frierdiker Rebbe in 1930, during his first visit to the United States, in response to the widespread lack of knowledge about this topic among the Jewish public at that time.
In our generation, the Rebbe established it in 1975 as one of the Ten Mivtzaim (ongoing campaigns).
Launch of the Campaign[edit | edit source]
In a special sicha on the 16th of Tammuz 1975, the Rebbe instructed to begin a broad educational campaign to strengthen Taharas Hamishpacha.
The Rebbe particularly emphasized the importance of building mikvaos for women, instructing that their completion should not be delayed even by one day, chas v'shalom.
The Rebbe emphasized how crucial it is to complete the construction of mikvaos as quickly as possible, stating "yafeh sha'ah achas kodem" (the earlier the better). As known from the Gemara story - a "ma'aseh rav" - regarding Yehoshua's punishment for preventing Yidden from peru u'revu (being fruitful and multiplying) for just one night, which emphasizes how important swift completion and opening of the mikvah is, even when discussing expediting by just a single day.
Physical Beauty of the Mikvah[edit | edit source]
Besides ensuring the highest standards of kashrus, the Rebbe added that particular attention should be paid to the physical beauty of the mikvah, as known from the Frierdiker Rebbe's letter about the great importance of the mikvah's external beauty. This is because it may encourage one more woman to use the mikvah, and allow her to do so with simcha and good spirits, without feeling rushed, enabling her to perform everything properly and with hiddur. As seen in practice, the external beauty of the mikvah has a real impact.
Without entering into a discussion about whether the emphasis on the mikvah's physical beauty is justified, since we are dealing with the practical observance of a mitzvah, particularly one that affects generations and generations to come - children and grandchildren who will be born until the end of all generations - it's understood how much effort must be invested to ensure that everything connected to it should be in the utmost perfection.
Importance of the Campaign[edit | edit source]
From this, we understand the great importance and necessity to put extra effort into everything connected with Taharas Hamishpacha - building and completing mikvaos, enhancing existing mikvaos, and most importantly - ensuring that every Jewish woman uses the mikvah in practice. Although all the mivtzaim are essential and extremely important, this one carries even greater significance.
This mivtza is one of three campaigns connected to Jewish women, whose acronym is "Chanah": Challah - kashrus of food and drink, Niddah - family purity, and Hadlakas Haner - lighting Shabbos and Yom Tov candles.
The Rebbe's Mivtzoim |
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The Ten Mivtzoim |
Tefillin · Torah · Mezuzah · Tzedakah · Bayis Molei Seforim · NeSHeK · Kashrus · Taharas Hamishpacha · Chinuch · Ahavas Yisroel |
Various Mivtzoim |
Mesibos Shabbos · Shofar · Lulav · Chanukah · Purim · Matzah · והשיב לב אבות על בנים · Lag BaOmer · Aseres Hadibros · אות בספר התורה לילדי ישראל · Ois B'sefer Torah Haklali . אות בספר תורה לחיילי צה"ל · Hakhel · Moshiach · Yom Huledes · הקהלת קהילות · הדפסת התניא · עידוד הילודה |