Mikvaim

Mikvaim, or mikvaot in plural, are ritual baths in Judaism used to achieve ritual purity through immersion. The pool and its accessibility are designed to enable full submersion, which is required for the immersion to be valid according to traditional Jewish law.

Water requirements are central. A mikvah must contain a minimum volume of living water, usually specified as at least 40 se’ah in rabbinic sources. The water must be considered living water (mayim ḥayim), either from a natural source such as a spring or river, or from rainwater collected and stored in a vessel and connected to the water supply. In modern practice, many mikvaot use municipal water as part of the system, provided the water meets halakhic requirements for living water and purity.

Design and use: A typical mikvah consists of a main immersion pool and adjoining changing and preparation areas. Immersion requires the person to be fully under the water. The mikvah serves several purposes within Jewish law and practice.

Common uses: Women traditionally immerse in the mikvah after the end of niddah periods or following childbirth as part of family-purity laws. Men may use mikvaot for ritual purification, for conversion, or on other religious occasions. Some communities also use mikvaot for bridal preparation or other personal purification needs.

Historical and contemporary role: The mikvah has roots in ancient Jewish practice and appears in rabbinic literature. Today mikvaot operate under various religious authorities and community organizations, with practices and accessibility varying by community and denomination.