Women and Water: Menstruation in Jewish Life and Law (Brandeis Series on Jewish Women)

Rating:
Summary: Good information from an academic POV
Review: This is an anthology of scholarly papers, so it doesn't *flow* evenly. It also presupposed at least some preexisting knowledge with the Jewish laws of niddah and family purity. However, if you're interested in the subject, this paints a fascinating mosaic of information. From the way certain talmudic arguments about the colors of stains may have disenfranchised women in ancient Judaism to the way some African Jews turn a bride's first mikveh visit into a party (and how parts of the Israeli establishment are trying to shut this down) this book gave new insights in what the mikveh means/meant to different people. The best segment, IMHO, is the last article which interviews modern American women on why they go and the advantages/disadvantages they have found. So much of that piece reflected my own experiences, that I insisted my husband read the article as well.

But, again, this is a scholarly work on mikveh history and practice, so if you're looking for a general overview or how-to, this may not be your cup of tea.

Rating:
Summary: Good information from an academic POV
Review: This is an anthology of scholarly papers, so it doesn't *flow* evenly. It also presupposed at least some preexisting knowledge with the Jewish laws of niddah and family purity. However, if you're interested in the subject, this paints a fascinating mosaic of information. From the way certain talmudic arguments about the colors of stains may have disenfranchised women in ancient Judaism to the way some African Jews turn a bride's first mikveh visit into a party (and how parts of the Israeli establishment are trying to shut this down) this book gave new insights in what the mikveh means/meant to different people. The best segment, IMHO, is the last article which interviews modern American women on why they go and the advantages/disadvantages they have found. So much of that piece reflected my own experiences, that I insisted my husband read the article as well.

But, again, this is a scholarly work on mikveh history and practice, so if you're looking for a general overview or how-to, this may not be your cup of tea.