A mikva is a pool of water drawn from a natural source of water. The mikva is constructed and maintained according to specific laws found in the Torah.

• A bride before her wedding
• Married women
• Men- in the mornings before davening and before holidays
• Any convert as a last step in converting to Judaism
• Dishes and utensils before being used in the kitchen

The laws of mikva require that with the onset of menstruation, physical intimacy between husband and wife cease until a full seven days elapse without menstrual flow. The evening, which the wife will go to the mikva, she must first cleanse herself physically before entering the mikva water. At the mikva building there is a special private room to prepare for the immersion. All toiletry items required are supplied. Then in the strictest privacy, the wife immerses in the mikva, and returns to being physically intimate with her husband.

By fulfilling the laws of mikva, a marvelous domestic miracle occurs-the honeymoon lasts throughout he greatest part of one’s life. The Torah regards the physical intimacy of husband and wife as a great spiritual expression. Life is sacred. Since the union has the potential for creating another human being, a special holiness is thereby inherent.The laws of mikva elevate human sexuality to a high spiritual realm with dignity and grace. The intimacy increases because of its unique spiritual nature.

Mikva is from the Torah, which is G-d –given. The laws relating to mikva are eternal; for all ages, under all circumstances of life. Modern women are striving for their right to be recognized in their totality. By abstaining from physical intimacy for a period of time each month, the women experience a new sense of inner strength, self-respect and autonomy.

The waters of the mikva have a direct source to natural rainwater, unlike a regular home bathtub. A mikva is built according to Torah law about 200 gallons of water (the water height is about 4 feet). The bath does not fulfil these requirements. The totality of a Jew includes both physical and spiritual dimensions. Immersion in a mikva is NOT for physical cleanliness since one must be perfectly clean before entering the mikva. A special blessing is pronounced before entering the mikva, emphasizing the holy nature of this precept.

Through the mitzva of mikva, the couple spiritually elevates their marriage.