A: There are several different grades of water for
ritual bathing. Six of these are
mentioned in the Mishnah in the section on Mikvaoth
(“Ritual baths,” 1:1-8). The highest
grade is freely flowing water (“living water”), like that in the Jordan River
where John was baptizing. Fourth on the
list, but quite common in everyday use, is the mikveh bath. This contains
40 seahs of water, which is about 80 gallons.
These baths must be filled naturally with rainwater channeled from the
roof or with water flowing in from a spring or river nearby. Though this is standing water after it
enters the mikveh, it is considered
acceptable because of its source.
A
constantly flowing spring of living water as described by Jesus in John 4:10
and 4:14 would be the highest grade of water.
Here it is, of course, a symbol of the purifying presence of the Holy
Spirit (John 7:38-39).
(For more on this topic, see the Index category Baptism.)
(For more on this topic, see the Index category Baptism.)
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