Mikveh Attendant Denies Ritual Bathing for Temple Mount Ascents
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
A directive from 2013, reinforced by a 2016 High Court ruling, prohibits mikveh attendants from questioning women about their personal lives or the purpose of their immersion, particularly for those ascending the Temple Mount. Despite these regulations, a woman in Ma'ale Adumim reported being repeatedly harassed and denied immersion by an attendant who opposed her Temple Mount visits and demanded identification. The Ministry for Religious Services has acknowledged the complaint and is investigating the matter.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Mikveh attendants are prohibited from questioning women about their personal details or reasons for immersion.
- A woman in Ma'ale Adumim faced harassment from a mikveh attendant opposing her Temple Mount ascents.
- The attendant demanded identification and questioned the woman's marital status and purpose of immersion.
- A 2013 directive and a 2016 High Court ruling protect women's privacy during mikveh immersion.
- The Ministry for Religious Services is investigating the complaint against the attendant.
A 12-year-old directive, originating from the tenure of Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan as acting Minister of Religious Services, prohibits mikveh attendants from inquiring about the personal details or reasons for immersion of women. The directive, established to protect the privacy and modesty of women, stipulates that any halachic assistance during immersion must be based solely on the woman's consent. The responsibility for the validity of the immersion rests entirely with the woman, with the local rabbi holding the authority to rule on any halachic issues. This directive was supported by the then Chief Rabbis, who endorsed the need to safeguard the privacy of those immersing.
Specifically, attendants are forbidden from asking women if they are married, single, divorced, or similar questions, and cannot condition immersion on receiving answers. Inquiries about personal preparation are also prohibited unless the woman requests assistance. In 2016, the High Court of Justice affirmed a woman's right to immerse alone, without an attendant present in the room, even though the Chief Rabbinate's official stance requires an attendant. The Ministry for Religious Services codified this right, mandating signs in mikvahs explaining the Rabbinate's position while affirming a woman's right to immerse as she wishes.
However, the directive is not universally implemented. Numerous women seeking to ascend the Temple Mount have encountered mikveh attendants who oppose such visits and have even prevented them from immersing. One woman from Ma'ale Adumim recounted repeated instances of harassment by an attendant who knew she was divorced and questioned her marital status and the purpose of her immersion. On one occasion, the attendant granted permission for immersion only after a conversation with the city's rabbi, imposing a strict time limit. After her usual alternative mikveh closed for renovations, the woman was forced to use the problematic neighborhood mikveh again.
Most recently, before ascending the Temple Mount on the fast of Tisha B'Av, the woman was asked by the attendant if her immersion was for a mitzvah or a segulah (a custom for good fortune). She responded it was a mitzvah. Upon exiting, she was asked if she was married, to which she falsely replied yes. During the recent Sukkot holiday, the same attendant confronted her, stating she knew the woman was ascending the Temple Mount and was also aware she was still divorced, having verified this information. The attendant demanded to see the woman's ID or marriage certificate. The woman asserted the attendant had no right to demand such documents and stated she would not remain silent about the treatment. Ultimately, the attendant allowed her to immerse. The Ministry for Religious Services has stated that the complaint has been forwarded to the relevant professional bodies for handling.