Baptism

Baptism is a water purification ritual practiced in certain religions such as Christianity, Mandaeanism, Sikhism, and has its origins with the Jewish ritual of tahara. The word baptize derives from the Greek word βάπτειν (the infinitive; also listed as the 1st person singular present active indicative βαπτίζω), which loosely means "to dip, bathe, or wash". To some groups it is a matter of religious conviction to assert that baptism is precisely equivalent to, to plunge something entirely into the water, so that the water closes over it.

Background in Jewish ritual

Although the term baptism is not used to describe the Jewish rituals, the purification rites (or tahara) in Jewish laws and tradition are where baptism can find its origins. In the Tanakh, and other Jewish texts, bathing for ritual purification was established for specified circumstances – in order to be restored to a condition of ritual purity. For example, after menses, and after a number of blood-free days following childbirth (two niddah circumstances), women would wash in a the mikvah – the ritual bath. As another example, Jews who become ritually defiled by contact with something infectious, would use the mikvah as part of their healing. Immersion is required for converts to Judaism as part of their conversion. Through practices such as these, immersion in the mikveh represent purification and restoration, and qualification for full religious participation in the life of the community. (See Numbers Chapter 19)

Related Topics:
Jewish laws - Tanakh - Menses - Niddah - Jews - Converts to Judaism - Numbers

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In modern times, the adherence and observance of the laws, rituals, and customs regarding the mikvah differ greatly among the Jewish denominations. The most strict in this adherence today are the Orthodox and Haredi Jews.

Related Topics:
Jewish denominations - Orthodox - Haredi

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