Are niddah and mikvah still observed by modern Jews?

Question

And if so, are there any differences from how they are practiced now than in the old days?

Thanks ladies for the answers so far. Are the mikvahs still taking place in springs and wells (and the like), or does a shower suffice for the ritual?

Answer 1

Of course.
Jews who are orthodox or hasidic still do observe the laws of niddah and submerge in the mikvah.
The was the laws are observed now is not much different from the way they were observed in the past....
Chiliswoman is wrong; tampons are not allowed to be used when checking whether or not one is niddah. Only small squares of white cotton are to be used.

For more information on niddah and mikvah:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niddah
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikvah

A shower does not suffice for the ritual.
A woman has to take a bath and then a shower before immersing in the mikvah.
The bath and the shower are for cleanliness purposes. The mikvah has a spiritual purpose.
A well is not used. In extreme cases where a mikvah is not available, a woman will use the ocean. But fortunately nowadays there are modern, beautiful (and immaculately clean) mikvahs everywhere; even in Alaska!

Answer 2

absolutely -- in fact, my guess is that in some ways, we are stricter now.

However, niddah laws do not require the kind of physical separation as in the old days when a woman moved to a different tent. Now, beds are just moved apart.

Mikvahs now are a bit more technologically advanced and prepping for the mikvah has a woman get cleaner than in the past -- back then, the mikvah immersion was to some small degree a final rinse int he physical cleaning - not just the spiritual part. Now, a women who enters has been washed and scribbed with powerful soaps and clean hot water.

Answer 3

Modern conservative Jews absolutely. Instead of using checking cloths now they often use tampons. And there is much less monitoring it is a more personal experience.

Answer 4

Salaam Alaykum,
This is is some but not all ways similar to our Ghusl. Nice to know this.
Wasalaam