In a unique operation carried out by the Merkaz Artzi Lemaan
Taharas Hamishpochoh BeYisroel, a mikveh was made
kosher in Yevul, a town in the Western Negev, using snow
transported in sealed sacks inside a refrigerated truck.
When several dozen families among the thousands of evicted
Gush Katif residents decided to stay near the Gaza Strip, a
community was set up for them in the Western Negev and today
some 100 families have made it their home. One of their first
concerns was the construction of a mehudar mikveh.
The mikveh stood ready, but little rain has fallen
recently, especially in the Negev. Then a proposal was made
to truck in snow and melt it. Working together with Yevul
residents Merkaz heads undertook the operation after morei
horo'oh provided detailed instructions on how to
transport the snow.
A delegation of Merkaz executives and rabbonim approached
residents of Neveh Ativ, a moshav in the Golan Heights, who
were glad to take part in the challenge. The delegation
members and moshav residents selected a large mound of
glistening snow and then spent six hours filling sealed sacks
with a total of 30 cubic meters of snow, enough to provide 5
cubic meters of water.
Following the cross-country drive, Yevul residents were
waiting with a crane to lift up the sacks and dump them on
the rooftop, where the melted snow will drip into the bor
otzar of the mikveh. Late at night when the task
was finished the local residents celebrated the final
completion of the mikveh, warmly thanking the rabbonim
and the heads of the Merkaz Artzi Lemaan Taharas
Hamishpochoh.
