Ritual purification is a feature of many religions. The aim of these rituals is to remove uncleanliness specifically defined for a particular type of spiritual activity, especially the worship of God. This uncleanliness is not however identical with ordinary physical impurity (like dirt stains). Most of these rituals existed long before the germ theory of disease. A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value, which is prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... The germ theory of disease, also called the pathogenic theory of medicine, is a theory that proposes that microorganisms are the cause of many diseases. ...

In general, all body fluids are considered unclean and some religions have special treatment of semen and menses which are viewed as particularly unclean. Bodily fluids are fluids, which are generally excreted or secreted from the human body. ... Horse semen being collected for breeding purposes. ... The menstrual cycle is the periodic change in a womans body that occurs every month between puberty and menopause and that relates to reproduction. ...

Many religions have a ritual cleansing of the dead before burial.

Some suggested similarities between the cleansing actions engaged in by obsessive compulsive disorder sufferers and those of religious purification rites. The difference is that the first ones indulge in their cleansing without any relation to a particular religious function or a spiritual activity. For other things named OCD, see OCD (disambiguation). ...

Judaism

See Tevilah. Tevilah (immersion) refers to ceremonies of ritual purity performed by religious Jews (Ablution in Judaism). ...

The Hebrew Bible has many rituals of purification relating to menstruation, childbirth, sexual relations, disease, and animal sacrifices. The sacrificial laws were observed by the ancient Israelites. Contemporary Orthodox Jews observe those laws which are not tied to sacrifice in the Temple in Jerusalem. Tanakh ‎ (also Tanach, IPA: or , or Tenak, is an acronym that identifies the Hebrew Bible. ... Menstrual cycle. ... Childbirth (also called labour, birth, partus or parturition) is the culmination of a human pregnancy with the emergence of a newborn infant from its mothers uterus. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A disease or medical condition is an abnormality of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, distress, or death to the person afflicted or those in contact with the person. ... A sheep is led to the altar, 6th century BC Corinthian fresco. ... An Israelite is a member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, descended from the twelve sons of the Biblical patriarch Jacob who was renamed Israel by God in the book of Genesis, 32:28 The Israelites were a group of Hebrews, as described in the Bible. ... Orthodox Judaism is the formulation of Judaism that adheres to a relatively strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics first canonized in the Talmudic texts (The Oral Law) and as subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and Acharonim. ... The Temple in Jerusalem or the Holy Temple (Hebrew: בית המקדש, transliterated Bet HaMikdash) was the primary resting place of the Gods presence (shechina) in the physical world according to classical Judaism. ...

Judaism is based on the Hebrew Bible as viewed through the oral law, including the Mishnah and Gemarrah, which together comprise the Talmud, in addition to other rabbinic commentary. Judaism still observes laws concerning ritual purity in regard to sexual relations between married couples. Other ritual purity rules still followed include hand washing for various activities: Upon waking in the morning, before eating a meal, after coming into contact with dead people, and upon leaving the bathroom. The other laws of ritual purity cannot be observed, as they deal with ritual purification connected to the Temple in Jerusalem, which is no longer extant. Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people. ... An oral law is a code of conduct in use in a given culture, religion or other regroupement, by which a body of rules of human behaviour is transmitted by oral tradition and effectively respected, or the single rule that is orally transmitted. ... The Mishnah (Hebrew משנה, repetition) is a major source of rabbinic Judaisms religious texts. ... The Gemara (also Gemorah) (גמרא - from gamar: Hebrew [to] complete; Aramaic [to] study) is the part of the Talmud that contains rabbinical commentaries and analysis of its predecessor, the Mishnah. ... The first page of the Vilna Edition of the Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Berachot, folio 2a The Talmud (Hebrew: תלמוד) is a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history. ... The Temple in Jerusalem or the Holy Temple (Hebrew: בית המקדש, transliterated Bet HaMikdash) was the primary resting place of the Gods presence (shechina) in the physical world according to classical Judaism. ...

Perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of Jewish law are the laws related to toharat ha'mishpach (Hebrew: literally "family purity"). These rules inform us that a woman enters a state of "tameh" when she is menstruating. During this time a couple must refrain from all physical contact, especially sexual relations. After the cessation of her menstrual flow, the woman counts seven days before immersing herself in a mikvah, at which time sexual relations between man and wife can continue. The words "tahor" and "tameh" are often, but erroneously, translated as physically clean and unclean. However, these terms actually describe a state of ritual applicability in regard to fulfilling biblical commandments, such as those associated with the Temple in Jerusalem, the cultic function of Kohanim (priests), and sexual relations within a Jewish marriage. Modern Jewish authors often translate tahor and tameh as "ritually pure" and "ritually impure". The menstrual cycle is the periodic change in a womans body that occurs every month between puberty and menopause and that relates to reproduction. ... Mikvah (or mikveh) (Hebrew: מִקְוָה, Standard Tiberian  ; plural: mikvaot or mikvot) is a specially constructed pool of water used for total immersion in a purification ceremony within Judaism. ... The Temple in Jerusalem or the Holy Temple (Hebrew: בית המקדש, transliterated Bet HaMikdash) was the primary resting place of the Gods presence (shechina) in the physical world according to classical Judaism. ... The position of a Kohens hands when he raises them to bless a Jewish congregation A Kohen (or Cohen, Hebrew priest, pl. ...

Christianity

Baptism is a Christian form of ritual purification. Catholics and Orthodox Christians are supposed to go to confession, especially before accepting Eucharist. Baptism in early Christian art. ... Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. ... Confession of sins is an integral part of the Christian faith and practice. ... For the death metal band from Sweden, see Eucharist (band) The Eucharist (or Communion or The Lords Supper etc. ...

The Church of England's Book of Common Prayer had liturgy for the churching of women adapted from Catholic traditions, which was a thanksgiving and purification event after birth of a child. Its use is now rare. The Church of England is the officially established Christian church[1] in England, and acts as the mother and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, as well as a founding member of the Porvoo Communion. ... For the novel by Joan Didion, see A Book of Common Prayer. ... In Christian tradition churching of women was the ceremony whereby women were recieved back into the congregation after childbirth. ...

Islam

Islam has rituals of purification including those relating to the preparation for prayer. Islam (Arabic:  ) is a monotheistic religion based upon the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th century Arab religious and political figure. ...

• Wudhu the 'minor ablution'
• Ghusl the 'major ablution' which includes Wudhu
• Tayammum the 'dry ablution' which is used when clean water is unavailable

People washing before prayer at the Badshahi mosque in Lahore, Pakistan Wudu is washing parts of the body, in clean water, as a part of the preparation for the daily prayer, Salah. ... Ghusl (غسل) is an Arabic term referring to the full Ablution in Islam. ... This article is about Hygiene in Islam. ...

Hinduism

Various traditions within Hinduism follow different standards of ritual purity and purification and within each tradition the more orthodox follow more strict rules. The most strict rules are prescribed for brahmins, especially those engaged in the temple worship. Smarta attitude is very similar to the Orthodox Jewish one. Hinduism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... A Brahmin (anglicised from the Sanskrit word IAST ; Devanagari ), also known as Vipra, Dvija, Dvijottama (best of the Dvijas), (god on Earth) is a member of an upper caste within Hindu society. ... Smarta is a Hindu follower of Smartism. ...

Important part of ritual purification is a full bath, best in the running water of a holy river like Ganges, followed by achamana (touching and sipping pure water with recitation of specific mantras) and application of tilaka accompanied by recitation of specific mantras. Early morning on the Ganges The River Ganges (Ganga in Indian languages) (Devanagiri गंगा) is a major river in northern India. ... In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ... In Hinduism, the tilaka, pronounced tilak (also known as bindi or teep), is a mark worn on the forehead and other parts of the body. ... In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ...

In modern times characterized by water pollution one has to be careful while bathing in some rivers, although their ritual cleansing power is not diminished by any physical impurity.

Shinto

Misogi is a Shinto practice involving purification in a waterfall or other natural running water. Misogi is a Shinto practice involving purification in a waterfall or other natural running water. ... Shinto ) is the native religion of Japan and was once its state religion. ...

See also

• sweat lodge
• smudging
• Eleusinian Mysteries
• Churching of women
• Uthhana Vidhi
• Leviticus
• Candlemas
• Sattva

This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Binomial name Salvia apiana Jepson White sage (Salvia apiana), also known as Sacred sage, is an evergreen perennial shrub of the genus Salvia, the sages. ... The Eleusinian Mysteries were annual initiation ceremonies for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at Eleusis in ancient Greece. ... In Christian tradition churching of women was the ceremony whereby women were recieved back into the congregation after childbirth. ... Leviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible, also the third book in the Torah (five books of Moses). ... Candlemas (Russian: Sretenie, Spanish: Candelaria) is a Christian feast commemorating the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple. ... The Sanskrit word guna (guṇa) has the basic meaning of string or a single thread or strand of a cord or twine. In more abstract uses, it may mean a subdivision, species, kind, and generally quality. In Classical literature In Classical literature (e. ...

External links

• On the Essence of Ritual Impurity in Judaism
• Preparing for worship in the Vaishnava tradition
• Guide to ritual impurity: What to do at the junctions of birth and death Vedic Vaishnava aproach