Ritual Immersion

In Judaism, the law for the waters or bath of ritual immersion is referred to as mikveh, a Hebrew term which refers more generally to any gathering of waters. The ancient sages taught that mikveh had the same letters as Ko(v)meh, a Hebrew word that means rising or standing tall. In ancient Judaism, mikveh was considered an important process of spiritual cleansing and purification.

In Genesis, there is a reference to mikveh on the third day of Creation: “[T]o the gathering (mikveh), He called seas” (Genesis 1:10). Because of this reference, orthodox Jews still consider the ocean to be a legitimate mikveh today. The building of the mikveh was so important in ancient times that it was believed to have taken precedence over that of synagogues.

Tovelei Shaharit

The Essenes regularly practiced ritual immersion. In the Talmud, these practitioners are referred to as tovelei shaharit, meaning dawn brothers.

The Nazarenes also observed mikveh, which was practiced on a daily bases at dawn in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. For example, holy writings record the fact that the apostle Peter practices ritual immersion and washed, often in the sea, prior to dawn. A large community Miqvah (reservoir) was excavated outside of the Essene Synagogue/Temple located in the Essene quarter of Jerusalem.

Ancient Nazarene methods of ritual bathing contained three components: the Rishama immersion; the Tamasha immersion; and the Masbuta immersion. These three components of mikveh continue to be practiced by the surviving Nasorai sect of the Nazarenes, who are also known as the Mandeans. The surviving Mandean versions of these practices are:

• Rishama Baptism: The first of Miqvah (baptism) purification elements is the rishama (signing). This does not require that a priest be present, as each man or woman is his or her own priestess. This baptism should be performed daily and should be performed with a covered head prior to sunrise, and before all other religious ceremonies.
• Tamasha Baptism: This is a triple immersion in the river, and is also performed without the assistance of a priest. In current Mandean tradition, the Tamasha must be performed as ablution (the use of ritual washing to remove sin, disease or earthly defilement) by both men and women after sexual intercourse, after touching a dead body, or after contact with a person that is considered to be defiled. In addition, present Mandean tradition also requires that a woman perform this ablution after menstruation and after childbirth.
• Masbuta Baptism: The third ablution, referred to as full baptism (masbuta), includes all components of baptism and thus requires that it be performed by a priest or priestess. Masbuta includes: the sacraments of oil, bread and water; the hand grasp and kiss (kushta), and the priest’s final blessing, which is given by laying his hand on the baptized person’s head. This ablution should take place on the first day of the week, in connection with major initiations and following any major defilement. However, the act of any major sin, including murder and adultery, requires more than baptism as a means of redemption.

Ritual Immersion and the New Testament

There are several references to ritual immersion in the New Testament. The Essene Temple contained a place for performing mikveh; ritual immersion baths are also mentioned in reference to the Bloody Temple Mount. Herod’s Temple also contained baths for ritual immersion, and a place for mikveh is also mentioned in connection to the Mount of Olives.

In addition, Jesus is also believed to have practiced ritual immersion on a daily basis while John the Baptist would have performed full baptisms as part of his religious ministry.