Q&A: How the Children of Israel Immersed in the Wilderness
How the Children of Israel Immersed in the Wilderness
Question
Good week, Rabbi,
A few days ago a question came up in the WhatsApp group: how did the Children of Israel immerse in the wilderness? After all, there were no conditions there that would allow the establishment of a kosher mikveh or water that was not drawn. a0
In addition, if Elijah were to appear and tell us that they immersed using drawn water, or even without putting the whole body into the water (like a shower), would that change anything from a halakhic point of view?
With blessings,
Answer
As I wrote in the column on the leniencies of the coronavirus period, the disqualification of drawn water is rabbinic according to most views. Therefore I see no problem with thinking that they immersed in drawn water. But that is not proof against the views that disagree, because the Torah is not in heaven. See Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner’s article on the suppression of knowledge; I seem to recall that I also mention it in a few places. You’d have to search.
Beyond that, if miracles can occur that create a well, I see no reason why a kosher mikveh could not also be created. a0
But of course one can also say that this law is later, even if it is of Torah origin. That is how the Sages understood the law, and it does not matter what actually happened then.
Discussion on Answer
If there is a particular point you would like to discuss, please go ahead and describe it together with the question.
Interesting what the Rabbi thinks about the following article
https://www.thetorah.com/author/hayah-katz