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Mikvah: The Mikvah: The GatheringGatheringOf NationsOf Nations

Rebecca Park TotiloRebecca Park Totilo

Rebecca at the Well Rebecca at the Well FoundationFoundation

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Greek Word Baptizos = Greek Word Baptizos = BaptismBaptism

• Means: To wash or immerse or dip Means: To wash or immerse or dip repeatedly.repeatedly.

• To cleanse, by dipping by To cleanse, by dipping by submerging (of vessels sunk), to submerging (of vessels sunk), to wash, to make clean with water, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, to overwhelm wash one’s self, to overwhelm

New Testament Concept?New Testament Concept?

• Traditional Christianity teaches “John Traditional Christianity teaches “John the Baptist” was doing something the Baptist” was doing something “New” and radical. “New” and radical.

• However, this Greek concept of However, this Greek concept of immersion has been since the immersion has been since the beginning of creation.beginning of creation.

Hebrew Word T’vilah= Hebrew Word T’vilah= ImmerseImmerse• Common practice in the life of the Hebrew Common practice in the life of the Hebrew

people. T’vilah (immersion) was part of the people. T’vilah (immersion) was part of the Biblical faith before Messiah came. Biblical faith before Messiah came.

• One of the requirements for conversion to One of the requirements for conversion to Judaism is the immersion in the Mikvah. Judaism is the immersion in the Mikvah.

(This should settle any disputes (This should settle any disputes for believers whether it is necessary.) for believers whether it is necessary.)

T’ vilah has been described by T’ vilah has been described by Hebrew Scholars as the Hebrew Scholars as the

gateway into being Kodesh or gateway into being Kodesh or “set apart.”“set apart.”

T’vilah is the physical act of T’vilah is the physical act of immersing into a body of immersing into a body of moving water, called a moving water, called a “Mikvah” in Hebrew. “Mikvah” in Hebrew.

Hebrew Word Mikvah = PoolHebrew Word Mikvah = Pool

• Means: Gathering of water.Means: Gathering of water.

• Mentioned in Levitius 11:36,Mentioned in Levitius 11:36, “Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein

there is plenty (Mikvah) of water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcase shall be unclean. {wherein...: Heb. a gathering together of waters}

Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, author of “Waters Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, author of “Waters of Eden, The Mystery of the Mikvah” of Eden, The Mystery of the Mikvah” writes:writes:

• The immersion acts involves the The immersion acts involves the change of identity, “an assumption of change of identity, “an assumption of a new status namely that of a Jew.”a new status namely that of a Jew.”

• I wonder what Rabbi Kaplan would I wonder what Rabbi Kaplan would think of all these little “Christian think of all these little “Christian Jews” running around today?Jews” running around today?

Kaplan continues…Kaplan continues…

• ““The use of the Mikvah is one of the main The use of the Mikvah is one of the main factors that distinguishes the Jew from the factors that distinguishes the Jew from the non-Jew.”non-Jew.”

• In fact, “the Mikvah is more important In fact, “the Mikvah is more important than a synagogue.” than a synagogue.”

• Jewish Halachah says that a congregation Jewish Halachah says that a congregation that doesn’t have a Mikvah doesn’t have that doesn’t have a Mikvah doesn’t have the status of a community.the status of a community.

• In Israel in ancient times, the Mikvah In Israel in ancient times, the Mikvah was the first facility built in a new was the first facility built in a new community.community.

Encyclopedia Judaica states:Encyclopedia Judaica states:

• The Mikvah is a, “a collection of water, a The Mikvah is a, “a collection of water, a pool or bath of clear water, immersion in pool or bath of clear water, immersion in which renders ritually clean a person which renders ritually clean a person who has become ritually unclean who has become ritually unclean through contact with the dead (Num. 19) through contact with the dead (Num. 19) or any other defiling object, or through or any other defiling object, or through an unclean flux from the body (Lev. 15) an unclean flux from the body (Lev. 15) and especially a menstruant. It is and especially a menstruant. It is similarly used for vessels (Num. 31:22–similarly used for vessels (Num. 31:22–23).” 23).”

According to the Tanakh:According to the Tanakh: Basic areas where immersion in the Mikvah is Basic areas where immersion in the Mikvah is

required:required:

1.1. After a woman’s menstrual period, she may not be After a woman’s menstrual period, she may not be intimate with her husband until she has immersed intimate with her husband until she has immersed in the Mikvah.in the Mikvah.

2.2. Immersion is an integral part of conversion and is Immersion is an integral part of conversion and is invalid without it according to Judaism. (implied)invalid without it according to Judaism. (implied)

3.3. Vessels, utensils, and dishes manufactured by non-Vessels, utensils, and dishes manufactured by non-Jews must be immersed.Jews must be immersed.

4.4. Another important function is various types of Another important function is various types of Tumah – or ritual defilement.Tumah – or ritual defilement.

Other Times to Mikvah:Other Times to Mikvah:• It is customary to immerse before It is customary to immerse before

Yom Kippur, as a sign of purity and Yom Kippur, as a sign of purity and repentance.repentance.

• The bride immerses the day before The bride immerses the day before her wedding as a process of spiritual her wedding as a process of spiritual purification and cleansing.purification and cleansing.

Torah CommandmentsTorah CommandmentsThree Categories:Three Categories:1.1. First, moral laws – Thou shall not kill, Thou shall First, moral laws – Thou shall not kill, Thou shall

not steal, etc. are known as Mishpatim, translated not steal, etc. are known as Mishpatim, translated as “judgments.”as “judgments.”

2.2. Second, commandments concerning the Feasts to Second, commandments concerning the Feasts to reawaken us to truth, are known as Edos, reawaken us to truth, are known as Edos, translated as “witnesses.” Yeshua told His translated as “witnesses.” Yeshua told His disciples to be His witnesses (Book of Revelation).disciples to be His witnesses (Book of Revelation).

3.3. Third, are laws and commandments for no Third, are laws and commandments for no apparent reason such as dietary laws, serve to apparent reason such as dietary laws, serve to strengthen man’s bond to God are called Chukim, strengthen man’s bond to God are called Chukim, translated as “decrees.” The Mikvah falls in this translated as “decrees.” The Mikvah falls in this category.category.

Talmud says…Talmud says…• These are the laws that the “evil urge (Yetzer These are the laws that the “evil urge (Yetzer

Hara) and the Nations of the Earth try to refute.Hara) and the Nations of the Earth try to refute.

• If we don’t understand something, its tempting to If we don’t understand something, its tempting to find an excuse to not do them.find an excuse to not do them.

• These are the first to go, when wavering in the These are the first to go, when wavering in the faith.faith.

• This all the more reason why it is an ACT OF This all the more reason why it is an ACT OF FAITH. It indicates that we are willing and ready to FAITH. It indicates that we are willing and ready to obey, even if we can’t justify them with logic.obey, even if we can’t justify them with logic.

When the Israelites received the When the Israelites received the commandments they responded, “we commandments they responded, “we will do” and then they said, “we will will do” and then they said, “we will hear.” hear.”

The Torah was given without any The Torah was given without any understanding of “why” but just that understanding of “why” but just that we would obey.we would obey.

James 1:22 James 1:22

•But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Laws of PurityLaws of Purity

• Falls in the category of Chukim Falls in the category of Chukim (decrees), which we are to do as an (decrees), which we are to do as an act of faith, in order to be spiritually act of faith, in order to be spiritually purified.purified.

T’ vilah to Set ApartT’ vilah to Set Apart

• The original consecration of Aaron and his sons The original consecration of Aaron and his sons as Kohanim (priests) administered by Moses, as Kohanim (priests) administered by Moses, after the Exodus was with the act of immersion.after the Exodus was with the act of immersion.

• This Mikvah was to “set apart” and change their This Mikvah was to “set apart” and change their status for priesthood.status for priesthood.

• Second, we see special significance of Mikvah Second, we see special significance of Mikvah in the Yom Kippur service for the High Priest in the Yom Kippur service for the High Priest (Kohen Gadol) in the Holy Temple. (Leviticus 16)(Kohen Gadol) in the Holy Temple. (Leviticus 16)

You are a Royal PriesthoodYou are a Royal Priesthood• The most important reason of immersion The most important reason of immersion

into water is not physical cleanliness, but into water is not physical cleanliness, but to reinforce the Bible’s message of to reinforce the Bible’s message of separation. As Hebrews we have been separation. As Hebrews we have been called out of darkness into the Light of called out of darkness into the Light of YHWH as today’s priests of righteousness. YHWH as today’s priests of righteousness.

• We are set apart as His children, through We are set apart as His children, through our actions. (Our choices of following His our actions. (Our choices of following His Feasts which are “witnesses”, Dietary laws Feasts which are “witnesses”, Dietary laws & Mikvah which are “decrees” show that & Mikvah which are “decrees” show that we set ourselves apart unto Him.) we set ourselves apart unto Him.)

1 Peter 2:91 Peter 2:9

•But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

T’ vilah to be SavedT’ vilah to be Saved

• The Talmud states, “as soon as the The Talmud states, “as soon as the convert immerses and emerges, he is convert immerses and emerges, he is like a Jew in every way.” It also like a Jew in every way.” It also teaches that he is like a “new born teaches that he is like a “new born child.”child.”

• Mikvah is like the process of rebirth, Mikvah is like the process of rebirth, and in fact, represents the womb. He and in fact, represents the womb. He emerges born anew.emerges born anew.

Mikvah is a Gathering of Mikvah is a Gathering of WatersWaters

• Seas gathered are a Mikvah, Seas gathered are a Mikvah, representing the womb.representing the womb.

• Seed-bearing plants on dry land, Seed-bearing plants on dry land, demonstrates how to be “born again” demonstrates how to be “born again” with death followed by resurrection. with death followed by resurrection.

Reoccurring Theme in Reoccurring Theme in ScriptureScripture• Creation on 3Creation on 3rdrd day (separation of upper and lower day (separation of upper and lower

waters – gathering of waters into seas – separation waters – gathering of waters into seas – separation of water and dry land)of water and dry land)

• Great Flood (from within the heart of the earth, the Great Flood (from within the heart of the earth, the fountains of the deep were broken up, cleansing the fountains of the deep were broken up, cleansing the earth)earth)

• Israelites Crossing Reed Sea (after the deliverance, Israelites Crossing Reed Sea (after the deliverance, Yah had to cleanse and separate them from Egypt) Yah had to cleanse and separate them from Egypt)

• At Mount Sinai, Yah gave specific instructions to At Mount Sinai, Yah gave specific instructions to “wash their clothes” and prepare for the 3“wash their clothes” and prepare for the 3rdrd day. day.

Genesis 1:9-13Genesis 1:9-13

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day.

T’ vilah for RepentanceT’ vilah for Repentance

• Because of not keeping Torah, we Because of not keeping Torah, we have broken fellowship with Elohim. have broken fellowship with Elohim. Immersion by faith restores this Immersion by faith restores this breach.breach.

• Mikvah changes a believer’s spiritual Mikvah changes a believer’s spiritual status from Tomeh (unclean) to status from Tomeh (unclean) to Tahor (clean).Tahor (clean).

Isaiah 1:16-17Isaiah 1:16-17

• ““Wash yourself and make yourself clean; Wash yourself and make yourself clean; put away the evil of your doings from before put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do tov; My eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do tov; seek mishpat (judgment), relieve the seek mishpat (judgment), relieve the oppressed, defend the fatherless, and plead oppressed, defend the fatherless, and plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, says YHWH, though your sins are together, says YHWH, though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” be as wool.”

The Prophet Isaiah Instructs Us The Prophet Isaiah Instructs Us

How to be RestoredHow to be Restored• Turn from sin, and evil doingsTurn from sin, and evil doings

• Immerse and become cleanImmerse and become clean

• Do Good Deeds, Seek to know His waysDo Good Deeds, Seek to know His ways

(When we do this, Jeremiah tells us (When we do this, Jeremiah tells us what Yahweh will do for us.)what Yahweh will do for us.)

Jeremiah 33:8Jeremiah 33:8

• ““See, I will See, I will bring it health and reliefbring it health and relief, and I , and I will will cure themcure them, and will reveal to them the , and will reveal to them the abundance of abundance of real shalomreal shalom and emet. And I and emet. And I will cause the exile of Yahudah and the exile will cause the exile of Yahudah and the exile of Yisrael to shuv, and will build them, as at of Yisrael to shuv, and will build them, as at the first. And I will the first. And I will cleanse themcleanse them from all from all their iniquity, by which they have sinned their iniquity, by which they have sinned against Me; and I will against Me; and I will pardon all their pardon all their iniquitiesiniquities, by which they have sinned, and , by which they have sinned, and by which they have transgressed against by which they have transgressed against Me.”Me.”

Mikvah is a GraveMikvah is a Grave• When a person immerses, he is When a person immerses, he is

temporarily in a state of non-living temporarily in a state of non-living (not breathing).(not breathing).

• When he emerges, he is resurrected When he emerges, he is resurrected with a new status.with a new status.

Hebrew Word = Kever or Hebrew Word = Kever or KibrawKibraw

• Means: Grave, and is occasionally used Means: Grave, and is occasionally used for womb.for womb.

(Both states – womb and grave are at (Both states – womb and grave are at the same end points in the cycle of life)the same end points in the cycle of life)

Reference: Numbers 19:18Reference: Numbers 19:18

Dying to Self / ResurrectionDying to Self / Resurrection

• With the act of immersing in a With the act of immersing in a Mikvah, it symbolizes our dying to Mikvah, it symbolizes our dying to self and being resurrected as a new self and being resurrected as a new creation in Messiah. creation in Messiah.

John 19:33-35John 19:33-35

•But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

1 Peter 3:21-221 Peter 3:21-22

• ““And this And this water symbolizes baptismwater symbolizes baptism that that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward Elohim. It saves you by conscience toward Elohim. It saves you by the resurrection of Yahshua HaMoshiach, the resurrection of Yahshua HaMoshiach, who has gone into heaven and is at YHWH's who has gone into heaven and is at YHWH's right hand--with angels, authorities and right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” powers in submission to him.”

Hebrews 9:22Hebrews 9:22

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

• Another translation says: “Be Another translation says: “Be immersed into Him and be washed in immersed into Him and be washed in His precious blood.” His precious blood.”

His Blood and WaterHis Blood and Water

• Our mikvah into Yahshua’s blood and Our mikvah into Yahshua’s blood and water is our salvation. water is our salvation.

• Yeshua told the woman in Samaria, Yeshua told the woman in Samaria, that He had the living water; drink of that He had the living water; drink of Him and never thirst.Him and never thirst.

Jeremiah 14:8Jeremiah 14:8

•“O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble…”

• Hebrew Word Hope = MikvehHebrew Word Hope = Mikveh Our hope is the gathering of Israel Our hope is the gathering of Israel

from all nations, like many waters in from all nations, like many waters in our day of trouble.our day of trouble.

Mikvah is the Gathering of Mikvah is the Gathering of IsraelIsrael

• Waters is symbolic of nations or Waters is symbolic of nations or people groups.people groups.

• It restores our relationship with It restores our relationship with Elohim.Elohim.

Ezekiel 36:24-28Ezekiel 36:24-28• “For I will take you from among the heathen,

and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Mark 16:16Mark 16:16

• ““He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

Matthew 28:19-20 Matthew 28:19-20

• ““Go therefore, and make talmidim Go therefore, and make talmidim (disciples) of all nations, doing (disciples) of all nations, doing mikvah (baptizing) upon them in My mikvah (baptizing) upon them in My Name: Teaching them to shomer Name: Teaching them to shomer (observe) all things, which I have (observe) all things, which I have commanded you: and, see, I am with commanded you: and, see, I am with you always, even to the end of the you always, even to the end of the olam hazeh (world).” olam hazeh (world).”

T’ vilah is an act of T’ vilah is an act of ObedienceObedience

• Followers of Yeshua are baptized.Followers of Yeshua are baptized.

• We are to continue the work He We are to continue the work He started on the earth and baptize started on the earth and baptize others in His Name.others in His Name.

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PO Box 60044PO Box 60044St. Petersburg, FL 33784St. Petersburg, FL 33784

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Healing Oils Of Ancient Healing Oils Of Ancient ScriptureScripture

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His Majesty RequestsHis Majesty Requestswww.RebeccaTotilo.comwww.RebeccaTotilo.com

How?How?

• With water. Lots of it.With water. Lots of it. “And John also was baptizing in

Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.” John 3:23

Acts 3:39Acts 3:39

•“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”