Mikveh

A mikveh (pronounced [/ˈmik.ve/]; Hebrew: מִקְוֶא, romanized: miqveʾ, lit. 'a gathering [of water]'; pl. mikve'ot or mikvot) or mikvah (IPA: [/miqˈwaː/]) is a bath used during ritual immersion in Judaism to achieve ritual purity.

In Orthodox Judaism, these regulations are steadfastly adhered to; consequently, the mikveh is central to an Orthodox Jewish community. Conservative Judaism also formally holds to the regulations. The existence of a mikveh is considered so important that, according to Halakha, a Jewish community is required to construct a kosher mikveh even before building a synagogue, and must go to the extreme of selling Torah scrolls, or even a synagogue if necessary, to provide funding for its construction.