What does water symbolize in Judaism? 

Water is an important symbol in Judaism, symbolizing life, purification, rebirth.

Here are 3 ideas of what water symbolizes in Judaism.

Life

Water is the source of life on earth, and certainly in the Land of Israel, where rainless summers mean humans, crops and animals await each winter’s renewed blessing of rain.

During the time of the Temple in Jerusalem, on the festival of Sukkkot (aka Feast of Tabernacles), a Water Libation Ceremony (Nisuach Hamayim) was performed. According to the Talmud, this was to appeal to G-d, to provide the Jewish people with a favorable judgement for rain, as Sukkot comes at the time of the year when G-d judges the world for rainfall.

Purification

There are many situations in which Jews, both men and women, require immersion (these inclue the release of unusual bodily fluids, skin diseases, after marital relations et al). Purification was especially important during the time of the Temple where one was required to be pure before carrying out holy acts, and where it was a pre-requisite to entering the temple.

And just as in life, purification also takes place in death, prior to a Jew’s burial.

In addition, washing hands with water (netilat yadaim), is seen as an important function upon waking, before eating meals that contain bread, and after using the bathroom.

Rebirth

Water plays an especially important part for a person who converts to Judaism. Here water spiritually cleanses the new formed Jew, completing the conversion process. In Judaism, a convert, after immersing in the mikvah, is considered to be like a newborn baby, who newly enters the world a Jew.

As a newborn baby leaves the waters in which it was surrounded, so a convert’s immersion in the mikvah symbolizes the change to her life. Emerging from the water, she is reborn a Jew, whose identify, behavior and attitudes now reflect those common to her new people.

And here’s one more additional idea.

Purification and Transformation

Since the period of the Second Temple, Jewish women have been committed to the meticulous laws of immersing in the mikvah.

A woman immerses for the first time, before she is married. After that, she immerses after each time she has her period, and after counting seven clean days.

A woman’s purification in the mikvah, certainly during the first time, transcends mere purification, though purification is part of it.

The first time a woman immerses, she is a bride who is preparing mentally, spiritually and physically to begin a new life. Her immersion in the mikvah, is a transforming experience, that both purifies and prepared her to enter the holy bond of marriage.

It is this transforming experience that also connects her with generations of women before her.

Life, Purificatio, Rebirth

Throughout her life, as she immerses in the mikvah, its waters will carry different meanings for a woman; at times, life, at times, purification, and at times, rebirth.

It is our hope, that the mikvah, always symbolizes a place of hope, comfort, and joy.