: A Sacred Space of Purity and Community
The design of a mikveh is governed by intricate halachic (Jewish legal) requirements, but it also carries deep symbolic meaning. Traditionally, the mikveh is built with steps descending into a pool of water. This descent and ascent represent a spiritual journey: going down into the waters of transformation and emerging renewed, as though reborn.
The mikveh must contain a minimum of forty se’ah (approximately 200 gallons or 750 liters) of natural water. It is often located underground or in a quiet, private area, preserving the modesty and sanctity of the experience. In many communities, the bathhouse also includes preparation rooms—areas where individuals wash thoroughly before entering the mikveh, emphasizing that immersion is not for physical cleaning, but for ritual purification.
