Tzur Yisrael 2011 Annual Mikva

The Shabbath on October 1^st 2011 was the annual mikva for Tzur Yisrael. 

The running water we use is the Salt River.  Below is a modified picture of the nearby mountains.

 

Our ritual is like any other Shabbath service

we do prayer and praise
we read the parasha study for that Shabbath. This year it was Leviticus Chapter 3, #24.2
a woman lights the candles. This year it was Kye Thompson
we do the blessing over the bread and wine
we have a pot luck (doesn’t everything important involve food)
finally we do the Mikva (aka full immersion baptism)

 

Here is the procedure that we have adopted while doing the actual mikva…

• The witnesses say “baruch b’shem Y’shua” (be blessed in the name/authority of Y’shua)
• The one doing the mikva falls backward in to the water fully immersed
• after coming up, the witnesses say “baruch b’shem YHVH” (be blessed in the name/authority of YHVH)
• The one doing the mikva says “hinani shenani” (here am I send me)
• Then everyone yells “Hallel Ya” (praise Yah).

 

Photo Album

 

		Mikva2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Summary

We had over 30 people and a good time was had for all. 

Maybe next year we can do this at the Yarden.

 

Maps

• Bush Highway Turnoff (map, 33.556202,-111.543413)
• Our Cabana (map: 33.555768,-111.542307)
• Mikva Site (map 33.553761,-111.544394)

See also this map and this zoomed in map.  Note that we wanted to go to Sheep’s crossing, but it was closed so we went to the “Alternative Site”.

 

Directions (via Google Maps)

• If your near the 101 and Shea, you could take the Fountain hills, Beeline highway approach
• If your near the 101 and the 202 Red Mountain Freeway, you can take the 202 Bush Highway southern approach
• If your coming from the East valley, you can take the User Pass approach

 

Here is a Bing map (I’m writing this blog with Windows Live Writer and I wasn’t sure how to do this with Google Maps).