In our Synagogue, we have a Mikvah. This is a pool of water that is used for many cleansing rituals, from daily ablutions to koshering new pots and pans. Now, the Mikvah is used by everyone in the Jewish community in Portland, not just the members of our Orthodox Shul. It has suffered some maintenance challenges in the past few years, and was closed a couple of weeks ago due to some crumbling tile, which required that the Mikvah be drained so that the patch could be applied. This is where I come in.
When the Rabbi attempted to fill the pool, he noticed that water was flowing backwards through the system. It is important that water flow only one way to preserve the kosher-ness of the water, and reversed flow will render the water not kosher. What to do?
I stepped in and installed a shut-off valve to stop the water from flowing backward into the Mikvah. The Rabbi asked, "well, what if someone fiddles with the valve? Won't that be bad?" I had to reply, "are the folks who are likely to be in the pool going to be mechanically inclined? Are they likely to even know how to turn the valve?"
He laughed, and agreed that the valve was probably safe from fiddling.
Anyway, the Mikvah is now back on line, and can now be drained and filled as necessary without fear of backflow.
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