ORTHODONTISTS and dentists in Israel’s ultra-Orthodox neighbourhoods are bracing themselves for a big rise in demand … for braces that women can simply pop out their gobs.
A run on removable braces is anticipated following a new halachic ruling by the leader of a Lithuanian Jewish faction, Rabbi Yosef Elyashiv, that effectively forbids adult women from seeking orthodontic treatment to straighten their teeth.
No mikveh for women with braces, says rabbi
According to the ruling, braces on one’s teeth are considered a “partition” and therefore disqualify them from dipping in a ritual bath, known as a mikveh.
And if they don’t take a ritual bath, they can’t have sex. Simples!
According to this report, Orthodox Jewish women are obligated to immerse in a mikveh between niddah (menstruation) and sexual relations with their husbands. This includes brides before their marriage, and married women after their menstruation period or childbirth.
In accordance with Orthodox rules concerning modesty, men and women are required to immerse in separate mikveh facilities in separate locations, or to use the mikveh at different designated times.
According to this report, few weeks ago, an individual approached Rabbi Elyashiv in order to seek advice on whether orthodontic braces are considered to create a partition between women dipping in the mikveh after their menstrual cycle and the water.
After a thorough study of halachic material on the subject, Rabbi Elyashiv ruled that braces indeed act a partition between the woman and the water, which must come in contact with every part of the body.
The ruling was made despite the fact that dipping in the mikveh is done with a closed mouth, and water would not touch the teeth in any case, braces or not. According to Elyashiv, the halacha also refers to “partitions” within the body, so it matters not a jot whether or not the teeth are actually being immersed in the water.
The mikveh immersion of a woman with braces would therefore be disqualified, and she would not be able to have sexual relations with her husband, or even to come in any physical contact with him.
A source close to the rabbi noted that even dirt under one’s finger nails is considered a “partition” that would disqualify a mikveh immersion.
One haredi dentists’ office has already published a notice announcing that removable braces are available to customers at their office. They even offered a special deal for the wives of yeshiva (religious college) students.
There’s something here I don’t get. If men are also obliged to take ritual baths too, why does the rabbi’s ruling appear to cover females only?
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
February 17th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Stupid. Just stupid. And again – obsessed with sex.
Like Bob Hutton and Stephen Green – who are obsessed with gay sex.
Why are religions always interested in people’s sex lives, rather in the same way bulimics and anorexics are obsessed with food.
Its immature and mentally abnormal – and has dangerous consequences.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:15 am
What a smack in the teeth for Jewish women!
February 17th, 2010 at 10:29 am
What about women after the menopause? Are they no longer required to go mikveh-dipping? I can smell discrimination here.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:40 am
If there’s a religion on this planet with the aim of making life simple and pleasant, could anyone tell me which one that is?
At least some dentists will make some money of this deal. At the same time I wonder why an orthodox woman would use braces to enhance her looks; doesn’t seem kosher to me.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:11 am
I bet SOME married women would keep them on deliberately – hahaha!!!
February 17th, 2010 at 11:44 am
Well obviously men are superior to woman, hence the rule doesn’t apply to them.
February 17th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Just one question: What about all the people who have been enjoying conjugal relations in contravention of this new regulation? What punishment are they to receive, or in what way are they to atone for this grave error – or are we to be informed, as usual, that “God will overlook their innocent mistake”, in which case why have such stupid and pointless rules in the first place?
February 17th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
If the women are stupid enough to submit to such arbitrary rulings, it will be a long time until the religious rulers are willing to grant them equality.
February 17th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Did you see any of the Muslim Driving School programmes, @gsw? What appalled me was the woman whose elderly husband was saying “Yes, she should take all the opportunities she can to improve her life and enjoy as many new experiences as possible in this country”, only for the silly woman to take the completely opposite attitude that she shouldn’t really be asserting her independence like that!
February 17th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Men are probably affected also but they are less likely to be in circumstances that require a mikvah.
I’m wondering how this affects other items such as pins in bones or a pacemaker though perhaps permanent items don’t count (it appears dental fillings don’t disqualify one).
February 17th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
From my understanding of the mikveh, the woman has to dip every time she is done with her period or has given birth in order to regain ritual “cleanliness,” whereas a man uses the mikveh right before his wedding. I am not sure if this is true in all orthodox communities, but it is a pretty common guideline. Orthodox men may use the mikveh more often, but it is optional (as far as I know).
February 17th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
How do they find time to do anything else with all these rules?
February 17th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
So the mikveh is disqualified if a woman wears braces on a body part that isn’t even touched by water?
This is just as mad as that koranimal fretting after sniffing alcohol on the breath of a bird he’d just snogged.
Why can’t they just have a shower and jump in the sack, sensible like?
February 17th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
This only applies to women because as with christianity and islam even a woman who is regarded as the most good,pure and obedient woman in the world is still considered dirty and impure for a least 3 days a month.
Don’t forget to these people the period has nothing to do with releasing matter when an egg isn’t fertilised-its a punishment from a god who though we are told is forgiving and compassionate still holds a grudge against an entire sex for the supposed misdemeanor of one woman thousands of years ago.
Still i suppose it could be worse he could of condemned us all to die a horrible death in a massive fl…..oh nevermind.
February 17th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
It does seem strange that God still blames womenfolk for disobeying him in the Garden of Eden, and leading poor, innocent Adam astray, when it is quite clear from Biblical teaching that women are considered incapable of rational thought!
February 17th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
What about false teeth you can’t take out? One may need them even before menopause…
February 17th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
@Broga. They don’t do anything else. Haredi Jews in Israel are kept by the state because they can’t live in the real world without offending their faith.
February 17th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Yes,i’ve often thought how someone can be simple and cunning at the same time.
Love the comment about the menopause.To us it shows how utterly ridiculous their rule book is but they’ve probably already called a meeting to discuss the very very serious implications.
February 17th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
why not men ? because it’s about control of women ,not about some ritualistic bath. control plain & simple. Organized religion of all persuasions is garbage.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
What about dental fillings. Will they invent removable dental fillings now? Frankly, these rules are so ridiculous that you could not invent anything more barmy if you tried.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Norman, don’t underestimate the power of stupidity! These cretins can come up with stuff we can’t think of in our wildest dreams, we’re too rational.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
I think Normand means that WE could not come up with more stupid rules than the ones that they invent. I’m still chuckling at the idea of orthodox Jews standing in a designated lift on the Sabbath, waiting for a Gentile to hop in and press the button for them, or roping off the area in which they all live, so that God will be hoodwinked into thinking that they are not actually leaving their premises when they go for a walk on that sacred day! How daft can you get!!
February 17th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Children can be both simple and cunning, Pipkin, and these people are extremely childish!
February 17th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Sorry J Barrie i didn’t make myself very clear.The simple/cunning comment was a reference to your comment about the biblical teaching that women are incapable of rational thought.But in the meaning you took it as (religious leaders being childish and cunning and i would also add acting like spoilt brats when they’re criticized) is absolutly spot on.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:11 am
Thanks Barriejohn, that’s what I meant. By the way, being a French Canadian, I sometimes use words or expressions which in an English context means something completely different. Feel free to correct me as it is the only way I can learn. Bonne nuit.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:37 am
Sorry Barriejohn but I have to disagree, These people are NOT childish for the simple reason that I never met a child that could or would think of anything this gawd-awfull bat-schite crazy STUPID. This would require a full growed adult RELIGIOUS NUT.
This reminds me of the bat-schite crazy jew couple that couldn’t leave their apartment because the light would turn on in the hall.
February 18th, 2010 at 6:46 am
I cannot stand the site of grown men in those cranky little caps (kippahs). Nor can I abide crooked teeth. That’s all I have to say about the ridiculous Jews.
February 18th, 2010 at 9:12 am
The main driving force of the Abrahamic religions seems to be fear and loathing of women’s bodies. You have to wonder how they reproduce at all.
Not only does the Orthodox Jewish woman have to cleanse herself ritually after menstruation, if there is any irregularity her Rabbi may have to check. With a swab. I am not joking.
Sick.
February 18th, 2010 at 9:23 am
You are right there, Pipkin! Strangely enough, when I was teaching I often thought that children had much more common sense than most adults, and in many cases (as with many TV sitcoms) roles seemed to be reversed, so that the kids were the sensible ones and the parents acted like the spoilt brats, as you put it. Most children, having logical and inquiring minds, tend to see all these petty regulations as nonsensical, so what I want to know is, when does the rot set in and why?
February 18th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
The whole point of Abrahamic religions is to push how evil and dirty women are, while teaching how indispensable they are–as brood sows and servants. Hence the three million rules designed to keep them “in place” and forever atoning for being born female.
February 18th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
This thing about the evil ‘dirty’ (meaning bloody) women is not just Abrahamic as it is also present in many other religions thru Africa and India before the xtians/islam got there. In men based warrior societies were lose of blood meant DEATH, and here women bleed every month, it is not too surprising to have superstitions grow from that. BUT to still believe that kind of schite today in our society is just rabid STUPIDITY and a refusal to relinquish imagined power.
Another set of religious/social believes that can be used as an intelligence test.
February 18th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Partitions within the body? Uh.. what about people with artificial organs? Going to pop your heart out old man?