(or in the case of niddah the loss of a potential life). One who comes into contact with one of the forms of death must then immerse in water which is described in Genesis as flowing out of the Garden of Eden (the source of life) in order to cleanse oneself of this contact with death (and by extension of sin). Mikveh in symbolic experience and biblical typology Immersing in a mikveh can be a symbolic act connecting a person to ancestral experiences. Noah's ark and the Flood Crossing the Red Sea The priests bearing the ark of the covenant lead the Israelites under Joshua across the See also Ablution (disambiguation) Ablution in Christianity Ghusl in Islam Handwashing in Judaism Mikveh Niddah Ritual purification Ritual washing in Mandaism Tevilat Keilim Tumah and taharah Wudu References External links Rabbi Eliezer Melamed - The Laws of Netilat Yadayim Jewish ritual purity law Orthodox Judaism Judaism and sexuality Water and religion