Mikvah.org

Welcome to Part 1 of Halachos of The Wedding With Rabbi B. Hertz- Halachic Preparations before the Wedding.

In this episode, Rabbi Hertz walks parents of the chosson and kallah through the halachic preparations required from engagement through the wedding day. He covers key steps from setting the wedding date to the chuppah ceremony, with particular attention to the roles both sets of parents play throughout. Rabbi Hertz emphasizes that the parents' most important role is to work together in support of their children, ensuring the day is conducted with the highest halachic standards and celebrated as joyously and holy as possible.

Welcome to Part 4 of Insights on Marriage with Rivky Katz.

In this episode, Rivky Katz discusses the beautiful, unconditional nature of marriage and the unique power women have to transform their homes into a place of warmth, belonging, and deep connection. She shares heartfelt insights on how understanding our inner "feminine yearning" can strengthen our marriages and help us show up for the people who matter most — even on the hard days.

Welcome to Part 3 of Insights on Marriage with Rivky Katz.

In this episode, Rivky Katz discusses the heart of a Jewish marriage — that true intimacy isn't about things or activities, but about the beautiful, soul-deep connection between husband and wife. She reminds us that a woman's wisdom, her ability to make space and lead from her heart, is what builds a truly strong and loving home.

Welcome to Part 2 of Insights on Marriage with Rivky Katz.

In this episode, Rivky Katz explores the foundation of marriage and how understanding the deeper truth of “we belong together” can help couples navigate the challenges, frustrations, and differences that arise in daily life. She discusses the role of pleasure in marriage, the connection between Taharas Hamishpacha and marital closeness, and how staying connected to one’s feminine voice and the deeper purpose of marriage can strengthen the relationship over time.

Welcome to Part 1 of Insights on Marriage with Rivky Katz.

In this episode, Rivky Katz discusses the deeper spiritual meaning of marriage, exploring the idea that human desire for a spouse reflects the same yearning that Hashem has for a relationship with us.

Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.

In this episode, Rabbi Levi Jacobson discusses how husbands can provide meaningful support to their wives during labor, delivery, and postpartum while remaining guided by halacha. He covers when a woman becomes a niddah during labor and the application of the halachos of harchakos during this important time.

Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.

In this episode, Rabbi M. Rotenberg discusses the Halachic considerations for feminine personal hygiene on Shabbos and Yom Tov, covering topics such as hair care, makeup, skincare, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, wet wipes, pain medication, showering, and oral hygiene. He provides practical guidance on which products and practices are permitted or prohibited, explaining the underlying halachic concerns such as coloring (Tzovea), smoothing (Memarech), and squeezing (Sechita) that inform these rulings.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uK5UqwkCdc9cbemq2YbMc98LHSQZ7D1S/view?usp=sharing

Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.

In this episode, Rabbi M. Rotenberg discusses the Halachic considerations of contemporary cosmetology, covering a wide range of procedures including Botox, fillers, laser treatments, cosmetic surgery, hair removal, permanent makeup, nails, and dental aesthetics. He outlines the core halachic concerns - including Chavala (causing a wound), Sakana (medical risk), Koseives Kaka (tattooing), and Chatzitza (an intervening substance that poses issues for mikvah) - and emphasizes that the permissibility of each procedure depends on its purpose, degree of injury, and healing process.

Click Here for the Follow-Along Guide

Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.

In part 2 of this episode, Rabbi S. Lesches continues to discuss the Halachos of moving into an apartment and renovating a home, covering everything from purchasing or renting a home to construction, mezuzah placement, moving, and setting up a home according to halacha. He offers practical guidance on working with contractors, home safety, modern appliances and features, and navigating challenges such as smart locks and appliances on Shabbos.

Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.

In this episode, Rabbi S. Lesches discusses the Halachos of moving into an apartment and renovating a home, covering everything from purchasing or renting a home to construction, mezuzah placement, moving, and setting up a home according to halacha. He offers practical guidance on working with contractors, home safety, modern appliances and features, and navigating challenges such as smart locks and appliances on Shabbos.

Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.

In this episode, Rav G. Oberlander discusses the Halachos and Minhagim surrounding pregnancy, covering a wide range of practical questions that arise throughout this special time. Topics include everyday life during pregnancy, Taharas Hamishpacha, medical appointments, labor and birth, and more.

Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.

In this episode, Rabbi M. Lipsker and Rabbi M. Mochkin discuss the halachic guidelines and appropriate conduct for Chassanim and Kallahs during the engagement period, including emotional and physical boundaries, healthy communication, meetings, yichud, and other interactions. They explore how to make the engagement a meaningful time of spiritual preparation and growth, while encouraging couples to seek guidance from their Chassan or Kallah teacher and Rav when questions or concerns arise.

Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.

In this episode, Rabbi K. Zirkind explores the intersection of fertility treatments and halacha, offering practical guidance on navigating the medical and halachic aspects of infertility with clarity and sensitivity. He discusses when to seek help, the importance of involving both medical professionals and a Rav from the outset, and the key halachic considerations that arise throughout the fertility journey.

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Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.

In this episode, Rav Y.Y. Braun explores the halachic outlook on social media, applying timeless Torah principles to today's digital world. He discusses the laws of Lashon Hara, privacy, and respectful communication, while offering practical guidance for using technology in a way that strengthens our relationships, reflects Torah values, and brings greater kedushah into everyday life.

Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.

In this episode, Rav S.B. Chaikin explores the topic of Hanhogas Ba'bayis, sharing practical halachic guidance for everyday life. Covering topics such as kitchen conduct, travel, positive speech, and other common situations, he offers clear direction for bringing Torah values into daily living.

Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.

In this episode, Rabbi M. Markowitz explores the practical halachos of Kibbud Av Va'em, explaining the foundations of honoring and respecting parents and how these obligations apply in everyday life. He discusses topics including caring for parents, financial responsibilities, obligations toward in-laws, navigating major life decisions, balancing parental wishes with shalom bayis, and maintaining halachic obligations in challenging family relationships.

Click Here to View Follow Along Notes for this Episode

Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.

In this episode, Rabbi H. Raskin discusses the halachic guidelines surrounding shidduch inquiries, including when sharing information is considered Lashon Hara and when it is necessary to protect others. He explores what may or must be disclosed, the conditions for constructive speech, and the importance of balancing honesty, sensitivity, and responsibility in the shidduch process.

⁠Click Here to view follow along notes for the episode⁠

This episode is sponsored in memory of Chaya Mushka bas HaRav Avraham Meir in honor of her 10th Yartzeit.

Sponsored by her friends who love her and miss her, and who continue to be inspired by how she lived her life.

Welcome to the Mikvah Prep Meditations Podcast, a three-part series exploring how Hisbonenus in Tefillah and meditative Torah concepts can infuse calm into the Mikvah experience.

In this episode, Zeesy Deren, a Shlucha in South Africa and educator, discusses the intersection of Jewish mindfulness and meditation, explaining how practices rooted in Chassidus and Tanya can help women regulate their minds and bodies. She shares practical tools for incorporating intentional breathing and kavana into daily life, tefila, and the mikvah experience, arguing that this "G-dfulness" elevates everyday actions into meaningful spiritual moments

Welcome to the Mikvah Prep Meditations Podcast, a three-part series exploring how Hisbonenus in Tefillah and meditative Torah concepts can infuse calm into the Mikvah experience.Imagine if the Mikvah could be more than something to get done — if it could become a moment of meaning, calm, and connection.

In this episode, Devora Goldberg, MBSR mindful coach, guides us to slow down, breathe, and rediscover the soul within the Mikvah experience. She not only shares insights but gives us a gentle taste of what mindfulness at the Mikvah can feel like.

Stay until the end — it’s truly beautiful.

Download Devora’s free pre-Mikvah meditation: Mikvah Meditation

Devora Goldberg's work is endorsed by Rabbi Rotenberg

To reach Devora directly or bring her to your next Mikvah event, email deegoldberg@gmail.com.

Podcast Summary:

This episode of the Mikvah.org podcast, part of the Mikvah and Meditation series, features Devorah Goldberg, an MBSR-certified mindful transformation coach and founder of Release To Relax Mindful Meditations. The series aims to enhance the mikvah experience by combining Torah concepts with calming meditation, with all meditations reviewed by a rabbi to ensure alignment with Torah principles.

MBSR, or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, is a practice of mindful-based techniques designed to help people rewire stress hormones and stress responses, drawing on the teachings of Dr. Joe Dispenza and Professor Jon Kabat-Zinn. The word "meditation" means "to become familiar with," and in Devorah's practice this means becoming familiar with one's inner self, or neshama. In her work, she focuses participants on something holy, noting that the Tanya itself references meditating on the greatness of Hashem. She also highlights that the Hebrew word for breath, "neshima," shares the same letters as "neshama," making breath-focused meditation spiritually meaningful. Meditations can be as short as five minutes, addressing the common objection of not having enough time.

On the topic of mikvah specifically, Devorah observes that the experience often becomes mechanical, reduced to checklists and timing, and that her free mikvah meditation, called "Mindful Torah," aims to help women move beyond this and bring deeper meaning to their immersion. Mikvah.org also has a book called "Mikvah Meditations" and is developing it into a full meditation series. The broader point made is that while the mitzvah is performed regardless of one's depth of understanding, meditation brings Torah concepts not just cerebrally into the mind but somatically into the body.

Regarding mikvah-related OCD and anxiety, Devorah clarifies that meditation is not a quick fix but a tool that helps in the moment and builds skills over time. OCD can manifest as intrusive thoughts, constant checking, reassurance-seeking, doubt, and avoidance behaviors. In a meditative state, the mind rests while the body enters full relaxation through activation of the pineal gland and vagus nerve, and the person is guided through a visualization offering a different reality from their OCD loop. Sessions are customized and typically 35 to 45 minutes, with clients generally needing only a few before developing their own tools. Meditation works in tandem with other therapeutic modalities and is not a replacement for them.

The episode includes a live guided meditation covering breath awareness, full-body relaxation using star imagery, and releasing held pain or limiting beliefs through breath and visualization. The conversation also touches on how meditation supports women in tuning into their monthly cycle, with menstruation described as a built-in invitation to slow down and receive, aligned with the Kabbalistic concept of women as vessels. Devorah's closing message is that every person carries an inner gift that can be activated through breath to calm the nervous system and work through challenges one step at a time.

Welcome to the Mikvah Prep Meditations Podcast, a three-part series exploring how Hisbonenus in Tefillah and meditative Torah concepts can infuse calm into the Mikvah experience.

In this episode, we are joined by Mrs. Mushka Krasnjansky, founder of Little Lights. Along with this insightful conversation, we are excited to share five guided meditation recordings by Mikvah.org for the public's use, which you can listen to directly following the episode.

The Mikvah.org recordings are endorsed by Rabbi Chaikin, and Mrs. Krasnjansky’s impactful work at Little Lights carries the endorsement of Rabbi Kessler, Rosh Kollel of New Haven.

Enjoy the episode!