mikveh
Jewish purification pool
A mikveh is a ritual bath used in Judaism for purification.
Jewish law requires immersion in a mikveh for various purposes: women immerse after menstruation or childbirth, converts immerse as part of their conversion, and new dishes may be immersed before use.
The mikveh must contain natural water—rainwater or spring water—collected according to specific requirements.
Orthodox communities maintain mikvehs as essential institutions: She went to the mikveh before her wedding.
Also spelled mikvah or mikva.
Jewish ritual immersion
- submersionBeing entirely underwater
- dippingBrief immersion action
- waterClear essential liquid
- descentDownward slope or lineage
emergence · nakedness · attendant · preparation · steps · pool · gathering · living water
Carriers or containers
- dishesEating vessels and utensils
- utensilsTools for eating
- potsVessels for cooking or planting
- silverwareMetal eating utensils
metal · glass · acquisition · gentile · manufacture · new · immersion · kashering
Removal of contaminants
- impuritySubstance degrading another's quality
- ritual purityUndefiled state for worship
- menstruationMonthly uterine bleeding
- separationState of being apart
Spiritual or physical regeneration
- transformationThorough change in form
- wombFetal development organ
- EdenScriptural original paradise
- creationMaking something exist
intention · Ari · Kabbalah · spiritual · cleansing · renewal · soul · meditation
Woman getting married
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
- groomBetrothed man; stable worker
- birthComing into the world
- postpartumAfter childbirth period
firstborn · kohen · preparation · holidays · Yom Kippur · Shabbat · renewal
tevilah
Jewish ritual immersion
- submersionBeing entirely underwater
- dippingBrief immersion action
- waterClear essential liquid
descent · emergence · nakedness · attendant · preparation · steps · pool · gathering · living water · rainwater
vessels
Carriers or containers
silverware · metal · glass · acquisition · gentile · manufacture · new · immersion · kashering · kitchen
purification
Removal of contaminants
- impuritySubstance degrading another's quality
- ritual purityUndefiled state for worship
- menstruationMonthly uterine bleeding
separation · counting · seven · bedikah · cycle
rebirth
Spiritual or physical regeneration
- transformationThorough change in form
- wombFetal development organ
- EdenScriptural original paradise
creation · intention · Ari · Kabbalah · spiritual · cleansing · renewal · soul · meditation · dawn
bride
Woman getting married
postpartum · firstborn · kohen · preparation · holidays · Yom Kippur · Shabbat · renewal
convert
Change in form or faith
- proselyteReligious convert, especially Jewish
- beit dinJewish law tribunal
- acceptanceConsent to receive
witness · emergence · ger · Ruth · Sarah · rebirth · covenant · Jewish identity
mikvehswimming pool
Basin for aquatic recreation
hot tub · bathtub · jacuzzi · public pool · spa