 1 1/2 hours, once a month |
 Taharas Hamishpacha/ |
 Mikvah refers to a ritual bath containing a natural collection of
rainwater, spring or well water, called "mayim chaim," living
waters. Immersion in a mikvah is prescribed by the Torah as the means to be purified from certain forms of spiritual impurity. In ancient times a mikvah was especially important in being able to enter the holy Temple in Jerusalem. Today the mikvah is most important for use by woman as required by the Laws of Family Purity. The mikvah is also a necessary component of conversion to Judaism and many men have the custom of going
to a mikvah daily, weekly before Shabbos or before holidays.
 Leviticus 18:19
 The requirement that a community build a mikvah even before erecting a synagogue testifies to the importance Family Purity has in Jewish communal life. Those who operate the mikvah make every effort to assure that a woman's experience there is both spiritually and physically uplifting; today's mikvah looks more like a fashionable spa than anything else as luxurious accommodations are usually provided. More importantly, the mikvah experience is an opportunity for women to connect with their spiritual self by entering the waters of the mikvah and recreating the elements by which God brought them into this world. Additionally, visiting the mikvah and adherence to the Laws of Family Purity rekindles the relationship a woman has with her spouse and enhances all aspects of married life.
  The laws of Family Purity, though intriguing, are multi-faceted and complex and therefore fall out of the scope of this guide, even on a basic level. Fortunately, there are many resources you can access that clearly describe the concepts of Family Purity and mikvah and can guide you on their laws.
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