IMMERSING IN A MIKVAH
is a beautiful and intimate ritual for spiritual renewal.
While there are many reasons one might immerse in a Mikvah, the Somerset County Mikvah is for women’s use in conjunction with the brides immerse in the Mikvah in the traditional laws of Family Purity: brides immerse in the Mikvah in the lead-up to their wedding day, and married women immerse on a monthly basis based on their menstrual cycle calendar. In the tranquil waters of the Mikvah, the woman taps into her closeness with G‑d — the source of life, purity, and holiness. It is an auspicious time for her personal prayers and meditation. As the waters embrace her, she connects with the hundreds of generations of Jewish women who have been immersing in a Mikvah since Biblical times.
OUR MIKVAH’S DESIGN is inspired by the ancient Mikvahs uncovered in archeological digs across Israel and other regions with Jewish historical presence. It pays homage to the enduring continuity and significance of the Mikvah tradition throughout millennia. READ MORE
Our Mikvah caters to women immersing for the purpose of Family Purity, which is typically performed after nightfall. The soft glow of candles, and lighting reminiscent of a starlit sky, add to the atmosphere of tranquility and sacredness. Harmoniously blending the ancient and the modern, the body and the spirit, our Mikvah is a place where one can find renewal, peace, and a deeper connection to oneself and the Divine. It combines the profound spirituality of the ancient ritual, along with the luxurious ambiance of a modern spa. Mikvah is, after all, a spa for the soul.
WHETHER THIS IS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE at a Mikvah or you are a seasoned user, our goal is that your visit be a beautiful and uplifting one. An attendant will be there to guide and assist you in whatever way necessary. Our pristine preparation rooms offer the best in comfort, hygiene, aesthetics, and privacy. READ MORE
Everything you need will be provided, including plush robes, slippers, and top-of-the-line personal care items. When you are ready to immerse, the Mikvah attendant will guide you through the process, as you say the blessing, dip in the waters, and emerge spiritually revitalized.
Our Mikvah is open for all women in a Jewish marriage—no matter the background, affiliation, or level of observance.
BOOK AN
APPOINTMENT
WE ARE OPEN WEEKNIGHT EVENINGS, BY APPOINTMENT.
Please book at least 24-hours in advance.
*Contact us for immersions that fall on Friday night, or on a Jewish Holiday.
Would you like to tour our Mikvah, or to deepen your knowledge of this cherished ritual? We offer private or small group meetings to individuals, schools, synagogues, and other interested groups.
We also offer educational programming related to all aspects of Jewish family life.
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WATER HAS A MYSTICAL QUALITY.
It is fundamental to the survival and growth of all living beings,
and has the power to restore, cleanse, and refresh. READ MORE
A MIKVAH is a collection of waters gathered directly from a natural source in which one immerses for ritual purity and renewal. Oceans, rivers, and springs are a Mikvah in its most natural form, but for millennia, man-made Mikvahs—built according to complex halakhic (Jewish law) specifications—have allowed for more comfortable and safer conditions. (One of the earliest excavated Mikvahs was discovered in the City of David archeological site in Jerusalem, believed to be from the First Temple period, 1000-600 BCE.)
In a man-made Mikvah, rainwater is collected and stored in a 200-gallon cistern that sits under the floor (or to the side) of the pool used for immersion. It connects to the pipes that bring fresh tap water into the immersion pool which is then heated, chlorinated, and filtered. A small opening between the two pools creates a free-flow between their waters, thereby giving Mikvah status to the pool used for immersion.
Water is fundamental to the survival and growth of all living beings, and has the power to restore, cleanse, and refresh. We are introduced to the restorative power of water with Adam—the first human being. He had just been banished from the Garden of Eden for defying G‑d and eating from the forbidden fruits. Instinctively understanding water’s capacity for rebirth and renewal, Adam immersed in a river that flowed from Eden as part of his repentance process.
Fast forward to the times of the Holy Temples (833–423 BCE and 349 BCE–70 CE). There are multiple occasions for which the Torah tells us to immerse in a Mikvah, and the hundreds of ancient Mikvahs that have been excavated from these time periods indicate its broad usage. Before entering the Temple, men and women would immerse in a Mikvah to attain spiritual purity. Likewise, the High Priest would immerse five times on Yom Kippur in an upward spiral of purification. It was also used by women in the context of Family Purity, as well as for converts in their final stage of embracing Judaism. Today, a Mikvah’s primary function is for women in the context of Family Purity, and for converts-to-Judaism. (Additionally, some men have the custom of immersing in a Mikvah as a spiritual boost before an auspicious occasion.)
The Framework of FAMILY PURITY (Taharat HaMishpacha) sets the spousal relationship in a state of constant renewal: During her menstrual cycle and for seven days following, husband and wife step away from physical relations, and focus on refreshing their emotional and spiritual connection. The woman then immerses in the Mikvah, and the couple physically reunites in purity.
Observance of this practice welcomes G‑d into one’s marriage, home, and lives. And on a practical level, many couples find that this Divinely-designed rhythm adds a freshness to their marriage!
To set up a private tour of the Mikvah, or to deepen your knowledge of this cherished ritual, please click here.
To learn more about Family Purity, click here and here.
See a global directory of Mikvahs click here.
3048 VALLEY ROAD