Excerpt from an article by Tzvi Freeman
There is nothing more holy in this world, nothing more precious to its Creator, than the union of a man and a woman. It is, after all, the fountain of life. What could be more precious than life -- other than the source from which life comes? And it is holy -- because the first, pristine creation of a human being was as male and female as a single whole. That is the way we exist in G-d's mind. And so, none of us can achieve wholeness until we regain that original oneness in both body and soul. Precious things are kept in sealed boxes. Roses hide behind the thorns. There are clothes you wear to work or play, but there are also treasures in your wardrobe so beautiful, of such value, that they come out only at special. The union of a man and a woman is so precious that if it is treated casually, without conditions or boundaries, it becomes ugly and even destructive. Which all goes to explain why in the Jewish way of life there is a cycle of union and separation between husband and wife. And why the most important institution of Jewish life, next to the home, is the mikvah that stands at the vortex of that cycle. Because precious things only stay beautiful when you follow the manufacturer's instructions. To read the entire article, click here.