: A Sacred Space of Purity and Community
The Jewish bathhouse, traditionally known as the mikveh, holds a central place in Jewish religious life and history. Far more than just a place for washing, the mikveh is a sacred space designed for ritual immersion—a practice that symbolizes spiritual purification and renewal.
The tradition of the mikveh dates back over 2,000 years, with some of the earliest known mikva’ot discovered in Second Temple-era Jerusalem, dating as far back as the 1st century BCE. Archaeological excavations near the Temple Mount and in the Qumran settlement (associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls) reveal sophisticated systems of water collection and stone-lined immersion pools. These early mikva’ot were used primarily for ritual purification before entering the Temple or partaking in sacred rites.
