The women’s mikvah in Dallas on McShann is in disrepair and needs immediate attention. $10,000 needs to be raised to correct the problems. Please read on . . .
The Rama (Choshen Mishpat 163:3) codifies a ruling of the Teshuvos Mahari Mintz (7) that the entire community is obligated to pay for the building of a Mikvah. Even those individuals who do not use a Mikvah must pay for its construction and maintenance. The Chafetz Chaim (Kuntress Ma’amarim vekol Korei p.26) writes that it is forbidden to reside in a city that has no Mikvah and building a Mikvah “enjoys priority over building a shul, purchasing a Sefer Torah or any other Mitzvah.” Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah 2:91) writes that the community must build a Mikvah in a safe place where the privacy of those who use the Mikvah will be preserved. Rav Moshe (ibid. 90) strongly encourages the building of a Mikva at a high aesthetic and highest hygienic standards to encourage Mikvah attendance by the widest circle of individuals. The Chazon Ish (Y.D. 123:5) also strongly urges that the Mikvah should be maintained at the highest possible standards of cleanliness and aesthetics “as is proper for those performing a Mitzvah.”
Family purity was a cause that the Chofetz Chaim constantly sought to promote. When he would hear that a town was not maintaining proper mikvah facilities, he would tirelessly travel there to speak to the townspeople and urge them to correct the situation. If it was a town that was close to his hometown of Radin, he felt an even stronger sense of responsibility to impress upon them the importance of this mitzva.
The Rav of Lida asked the Chofetz Chaim to come speak to his people about the importance of family purity. He was hoping to raise the necessary funds to rebuild the mikvah which had fallen into a state of disrepair. The Chofetz Chaim asked his son-in-law, Rav Zvi, to accompany him but the trip kept getting delayed.
A few weeks later, during the month of Elul, the Chofetz Chaim suddenly confronted Rav Zvi. “The High Holy Days are approaching and I have nothing to show for myself when I’ll be judged. Let’s travel to Lida and try to convince them about the mikvah.†They went but were unsuccessful in their bid.
One freezing cold day, in the middle of the winter, the Chofetz Chaim informed his family that he had decided to travel back to Lida. “Wait until the weather warms up,†they urged. The Chofetz Chaim’s pointed response was that when they’ll ask him in heaven why he didn’t try again at Lida, the excuse that it was too cold would certainly not be very well received. Again the Chofetz Chaim tried to convince them and again he was unsuccessful.
When the Chofetz Chaim was preparing to move to Eretz Yisroel, he traveled to bid farewell to his neighboring towns. He arrived at Lida and summoned the community leaders. “You know how much effort I’ve expended to convince you to renew the mikvah. You also know that I didn’t succeed. I’m not blaming anyone because I don’t know who is to blame. However, I am asking you to do me a favor. I am already an old man and will soon be entering the World of Truth. They will demand of me: ‘Yisroel Meir! You lived near Lida! How were you silent when you knew that they didn’t have a proper mikvah?’ I’m asking you to write and sign that I was not at fault… Please write that I asked, I pleaded, I begged but my words were not adhered to.â€Â
The community leaders sat in shocked silence. Such a request shook them to their very core. Finally, one leader began to speak. “Rebbe, don’t say we didn’t listen — it’s not too late!†Right there, sufficient sums of money were pledged to renew the mikvah.
Our mikvah is our responsibility. We need to correct the problems. But it costs money. Please donate generously. This is from the greatest of mitzvos. For convenience, you may donate through the shul online donation form. Whether you are a member of Congregation Toras Chaim, or not, you may gladly donate through our online donation form, and your money will reach “Mikvah Israel. Please specifiy in the “Special Instructions” box that this donation is for “Mikvah Israel.” In two weeks time the shul will write the mikvah a check for all the donations designated for “Mikvah Israel.” Â Those of you who donate will receive a donation letter, automatically by email, for your records, as well as a donation letter from the shul.
Donate here through our online donation form. You may mail your donation to the shul as well. Please make out your check to Congregation Toras Chaim, but indicate on the memo line that the donation is for Mikvah Israel. Mail your donation to Congregation Toras Chaim, 17912 Hillcrest Rd., Dallas, TX 75252.
In the merit of supporting the community mikvah, may Hashem bless you with overflowing success and happiness.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Yaakov Rich